First POWs walk to freedom
Mary Maguire was at Long Kesh last Saturday for the first
prisoner releases under the Good Friday document
Such a miserable day for an historic moment. As little groups
formed in the car park of Long Kesh, waiting for the first
releases of prisoners of war, the atmosphere mounted into an
all-cameras show.
Ironically, most journalists missed the turn from the small
country road into the gates of the jail they have so frequently
reported on. The waiting game started at 9am for the media. The
photographers lined up facing the turnstiles.
The first break came when a group of Saoirse supporters, led by
Saoirse national chairman Martin Meehan, gathered in the car
park. They walked in silence, holding banners in solidarity.
Among them were number of ex-prisoners and many family members.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Gerry Kelly, Brendan `Bik' McFarlane,
and Sinn Féin councillor Michael Browne gathered in their ranks.
Gerry Kelly said, ``The mere fact that the British are letting a
number of prisoners out proves that this process is an integral
part of the Good Friday agreement. But the pace is far too slow.
The NIO is obviously not matching the commission's workload and
they are doing it deliberately.'' (The Commission has cleared the
release of several dozen prisoners but the NIO has released less
than ten to date.)
Michael Browne criticised the British government for its attitude
in the process. ´The NIO have kept us in the dark. The three
prisoners themselves were told as late as yesterday afternoon
that they would be released today, in spite of the fact that all
parties were given the understanding that all prisoners eligible
would be given at least 24 hours notice prior to their release.
There has clearly been a lot of messing about.''
After two hours of waiting, cracked jokes between ex-prisoners
and journalists as well as mounting impatience, a visitor made
his way out of the doors and blatantly insulted Saoirse
supporters. The cameras rolled in delight. But the obvious
struck: it was when all the media attention was hijacked that the
three UDA/UFF ex-prisoners swept through the small door, escaping
the media's eye until the cameramen caught up with them in the
car park.
Fourty minutes later, three republican POWs emerged from the
steel camp. Pat McGuigan, Louis McNally and Gerard Magee were
greeted by Gerry Kelly and Bik McFarlane. Then they flew into the
arms of their families. Their first minutes of freedom were
hijacked by desperate photographers and cameras diving for the
best angle. But nothing seemed to touch them. Gerard Magee,
beaming, said, ``Tá athas orm,'' but added no more.
The cars roared out of the car park, leaving a confused crowd of
journalists. Among the Saoirse supporters, words were rare. Their
thoughts went to all the prisoners still detained beyond the spy
posts. The only news of the day was that the lengthy process
towards justice and long-deserved freedom had begun.
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