Monday, 22 May saw what should have been the final release of
all republican prisoners in the 26 Counties. Those POWs on
extended temporary release were given their final release forms
on that date. The Dublin government is, however, refusing to
release a number of republican prisoners who have become the
focus of a Garda vendetta. These republican prisoners, Kevin
Walsh, Pearse McCauley, Mick OÕNeill and Gerry Sheedy were
convicted of the manslaughter of a police detective in Adare, Co.
Limerick, in June 1996. A fifth prisoner, John Quinn, was
convicted on a peripheral charge. They were transferred to
Castlerea prison along with the remaining IRA prisoners in
Portlaoise prison last December. Certain elements within the
state, particularly the Special Branch and Special Branch hacks
within the media have been lobbying against the release of these
prisoners despite the fact that their case clearly comes within
the terms of the Good Friday Agreement for early release. They
are attempting to treat these POWs as if they are a unique
species of prisoner whose case can be divorced from its political
context.
One aspect of the campaign against these men is to rail
against their `softÕ treatment in the Castelrea `holiday campÕ.
This is a particular goad to the hang `em and flog `em brigade
and the `throw away the keyÕ cranks who phone RTE chat shows with
their vision of prisons as hell holes of retribution and revenge.
Unlike our prisoners in Castlerea, these vindictive little men
and women were nowhere to be seen during the fight for Irish
freedom. Perhaps they were none too keen to risk an extended stay
at one of their stateÕs so-called holiday camps. The fact is that
prison is prison. Anyone who has been inside will know exactly
what that means. The taking away of oneÕs personal liberty and
ability to associate with friends and family is the real
hardship. No snooker table or colour television in the recreation
room can obscure that hard reality.
other aspect is the sinister spin put on everything the POWs
say and do by sections of the media. Lies are manufactured and
printed as fact. Minor incidents that would be shrugged off as
irrelevant prison trivia are blown completely out of proportion
and twisted to place the POWs in the worst possible light.
It is totally unacceptable to republicans that the Dublin
government would cherry pick which IRA prisoners qualify for
release under the Good Friday Agreement or that certain prisoners
should be victimised for reasons of political expediency. The
expediency in this case being principally the governmentÕs
reluctance to confront the Gardai on this issue. Apparently, the
Gardai believe everyone but themselves have to swallow bitter
pills in this process.
Republicans cannot and will not allow their prisoners to
remain in custody when an international agreement has been signed
by the custodial power providing for their release. They are
unquestionably ``qualifyingÕÕ prisoners under the terms of the
Good Friday Agreement. Contrary to widespread belief, all
republican prisoners are not out of gaol. We must never slacken
the campaign to free our prisoners until all are home again with
their families.
John Crawley
Former POW
Jackie Griffith Commemoration
A Chairde,
At the recent AGM of the Jackie Griffith/Mairead Farrell cumann, it was decided to revive the annual Volunteer Jackie Griffith commemoration.
The parade will assemble on Saturday 8 July at 2.30pm in Ringsend village and march to Holles Street, where the young volunteer was shot dead by ``Special PoliceÕÕ on 4 July 1943.
Local republicans were disappointed at the low turnout the last time this commemoration was held back in 1993, JackieÕs 50th anniversary. We intend to rectify this from this year onwards, and so we are appealing to republicans across Dublin to turn out in large numbers to honour this fallen soldier of Óglaigh na hÉireann. A senior Sinn Féin member has been invited to deliver the main oration and both the Vols. Smith/Harford/Doherty RFB and the Vol. Hugh Hehir RFB have been required to attend.
A function is being organised for that weekend in the Widow Scallans, Pearse Street, and details will follow in further editions of An Phoblacht.
Once again, we appeal to republicans across the city to make the effort and attend on the day.
Iásan Mac Giolla Eain,
Cumann Jackie Griffith/Mairead Farrell,
Dublin South East
Strategic anti-racism welcomed
A Chairde,
As militant anti-fascists in England we welcome the comments of Gerry Adams in relation to the asylum issue in Ireland. As he points out (An Phoblacht, 25 May) ``not only has the government failed to address the needs and rights of asylum seekersÕÕ it has also ignored the needs and rights of the working class communities expected to play host to them.
Again, as he makes clear, ``communities have a right to be consulted and to expect adequate resources and supportsÕÕ. A failure to demand adequate resources along with the rights of refugees can only, as in many communities in England, pit the most wretched against the most disadvantaged. For liberals and professional anti-racists to then `take sidesÕ on the issue of resources without addressing the £30 million shortfall by the New Labour government in recompensing local authorities compounds the problem. A fourfold increase in support for the Far Right in the recent elections in Long and a doubling of race attacks are some of the consequences.
To our knowledge, the Sinn Féin president is the first political leader to promote an anti-rascist strategy that is not perceived to be anti-working class, and through that has hopefully helped move anti-rascist thinking from the purely moral to the strategic. If so it will prove to be a timely intervention.
Eamonn Kent,
London Anti-Fascist Action
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