Limerick prisoner on hunger strike
By Marcas Mac Ruairí
CONCERN is growing in Limerick for the welfare of Paul
Quinn, who commenced a hunger strike last Thursday, 12
February.
Paul (24), of Patrickswell, is protesting against his
incarceration in Limerick prison for allegedly failing
to account for his movements to the Garda Special
Branch.
He was sentenced four weeks ago to six months
imprisonment by Limerick District Court under section
52 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Highly critical of this oppressive law, the Sinn Féin
candidate in the forthcoming Limerick East by-election
Jenny Shapland described Paul's plight as a miscarriage
of justice: ``What this actually means is that according
to the Garda Síochána Paul did not give an accurate
account of his movements on the dates in question.
``The fact is that Paul did give an account of his
movements by stating that on the days in question he
was living and working abroad. Paul Quinn's civil
rights have been grossly violated by the state's
political police and judicial system.''
She continued, ``His demands are, that seeing as his
conviction was politically motivated he should be
afforded political status and transferred to Port
Laoise Prison immediately.
Described as a ``quiet and decent fellow,'' Paul worked
in his family's construction business before he was
arrested.
Supporters this week met with the prison governor in
Limerick who conceded that he would like to see him
transferred to Port Laoise but said that the matter was
now in the hands of the Minister for Justice.
Speaking on Wednesday, Jenny Shapland said, ``Paul is
now onto his seventh day on hunger strike and I call on
the Minister of Justice and all other by-election
candidates to act immediately to resolve this injustice
that could have a detrimental effect on what is already
a very fragile situation.
``Paul was working in London at the time in question. He
is a victim of a gross miscarriage of justice, like
many other cases such as the Birmmingham Six, and the
Guildford Four, the only difference now is that it is
on our door step,'' Shapland said.
There will be a protest picket organised by the Paul
Quinn Action Group outside Limerick Prison at 4.30pm
each day until Paul's demand is met.
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