Prisoner welfare group relaunched
Veteran republican Joe Cahill has called for a renewed focus on the
welfare needs of republican prisoners in the coming months.
Speaking at the official relaunch of the Republican Prisoners Welfare
Committee in the Felons Club in West Belfast last weekend, Cahill
called for a coordinated approach by existing republican prisoner
welfare and support organisations to ensure that financial assistance
is available to meet the continuing needs of prisoners and their
families.
Over 50 activists from throughout Ireland and representing various
prisoner support organisations attended the meeting on Sunday last.
Commending the efforts of existing welfare organisations for the past
30 years, Cahill called for renewed efforts on behalf of the prisoners
and their families. Cahill said ``The prisoners and their families have
been well served over the past 30 years and more by a number of
different organisations and many dedicated individuals. An Cumann
Cabhrach, the Green Cross and Republican Prisoners Welfare deserve
particular mention. I am aware that the work of these and other
prisoners dependent fund groups in Ireland, Scotland, USA and
elsewhere is continuing.''
Welcoming the relaunch of the Irish Political Prisoners Welfare
Committee, Cahill urged those in attendance to assist in its ongoing
work. ``This committee has set itself the task of reaching into every
corner of the country. It is essential that it has your assistance.
The needs of the prisoners are as great as ever. The work of this
committee must be an addition to what exists and not a replacement.''
Cautioning against any complacency arising from the recent releases of
POWs, Ann O'Sullivan, spokesperson for the POW Department, commented
``There are still nearly 100 POWs in Ireland and abroad. This figure
will not change significantly in the forseeable future. We cannot
afford to be complacent on this issue.''
Messages read from the OCs in Portlaoise and the H-Blocks thanked all
those who had worked down the years on behalf of prisoners and their
families and urged increased efforts. Echoing Ann O'Sullivan's
concerns, Jim McVeigh, OC of the POWs in the H-Blocks, said: ``The
current release rate is about two per month. The idea that all the
prisoners will soon be released is not true and in any case would be
no excuse for any easing up on this work.''
Gerry Hanratty, OC Portlaoise POWs, pointed out that ``December is
traditionally Prisoners Month and we should ensure that the particular
focus this year is prisoners welfare''.
Donations should be forwarded to Irish Political Prisoners Welfare
Committee, c/o Ann O'Sullivan, 44 Parnell Square, Dublin 1 or c/o Sean
Moore, 5-7 Conway St, Belfast. Cheques should be made payable to Irish
Political Prisoners Welfare Committee.