Pressure grows for release of Gerry McGeough and Marian Price

Former Fianna Fail minister Éamon Ó Cuív has added his voice to a campaign for the release of a high-profile republican dissident, former Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle member Gerry McGeough.

Mr McGeough from Tyrone, a father of four, was arrested leaving a count centre in Omagh in 2007, having stood as an independent republican candidate in the Six County Assembly elections. He stood trial last year on IRA charges dating from 1981, and is now serving 20 years at Maghaberry prison.

His arrest was clearly politically motivated, given that he had been living openly in the North since 1996. Mr McGeough was stopped at checkpoints many times, called for jury service on two occasions and made numerous appearances on television and radio programmes in advance of his arrest.

Campaigners have also raised concerns about McGeough’s health. He has had five stents inserted after a series of heart attacks, and a prison doctor has said that, due to his health, he should not be in prison.

Mr Ó Cuív spoke at a press conference this week with the Gerry McGeough Justice Campaign, Irish-American campaigner Fr Seán McManus and members of McGeough’s family.

He said part of the Weston Park agreement signed in 2001 between the Dublin and London governments dealt with the issue of outstanding prosecutions. It accepted that prosecutions for offences that would benefit from the early-release scheme should not be pursued.

“Unfortunately this legislation was never passed in Westminster and the matter has been left in abeyance,” Mr Ó Cuív said. “However, I believe that the agreement should still be implemented.”

He said the event involved happened 31 years ago, and Mr McGeough had always supported the peace process. He had returned to Ireland, gone to Trinity College Dublin and “lived and worked peacefully”.

“All we are asking for is for the Weston Park agreement to be acted on and for Gerry to be released immediately,” Mr Ó Cuív said.

Members of Sinn Féin, dissident republicans and a number of human rights organisations joined Mr O Cuív in the pre-Easter meeting to demand that McGeough be freed.

His 11-year old daughter Una issued her own personal plea at the press conference.

“Everybody tells us that life at home is better now because of the peace process, but our lives are very sad. Why is there no peace process for us? Why is only our family being punished? We want our daddy home,” she said.

RELEASE MARIAN PRICE

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein has urged that another prominent political dissident should be moved to an outside hospital after senior doctors said she could not get the care she needed while in prison.

Sinn Féin Assembly member Jennifer McCann was speaking after Marian Price declined to hold a meeting with the party at Hydebank prison last week.

Jennifer McCann, who is also a member of the Assembly’s Justice Committee said:

“Senior doctors have assessed Marian Price’s mental condition and said that she could not receive the medical care she needs in prison. It is now incumbent on David Ford to move her to an outside hospital so that she can receive the care needed.

“The doctors have also stated that she is not fit to participate in any legal proceedings. The fact that she has twice been released on bail by senior judges, who have seen evidence not available to her solicitors, raises the question, how is she a threat to anyone?

“This is an abuse of natural justice. On humanitarian terms alone she should be moved to an outside hospital never mind the fact that her continued imprisonment damages public confidence in the justice system.”

Ms Price was imprisoned following a decree by the British Direct Ruler Owen Paterson last year and spent a time as the only woman in Maghaberry high security prison. In February, amid mounting concerns over her mental health, she was transferred to Hydebank women’s prison.

In his address at the 32 County Sovereignty Committee’s Easter commemoration, Mr Donnelly also highlighted the Marian Price case.

“She was intended to serve as an example by the British, a warning to all who dare challenge their right to rule in Ireland. Instead Marian stands today as an inspiration to all who refuse to bend the knee in the face of . .. oppression.·

He called on the people of Ireland to support the campaign to have Ms Price freed.

RALLY FOR MARIAN

A major rally challenging the continued internment of Marian Price is to be led by Father Raymond Murray next weekend.

The former prison chaplain will speak at the event at Derry’s Guildhall Square on Sunday April 22. The rally will follow a procession through the city from Free Derry Corner at 2.30pm.

Rally organisers say the relaxation of Price’s prison conditions was a result of pressure applied by a meeting attended by hundreds of people in Derry and believe her continued confinement is “in direct conflict with current human rights legislation”.

“Owen Paterson sent Marian Price back to prison following the revocation of a supposed life licence. She was released from prison close to death in 1980,” they said in a statement.

“Mr Paterson conveniently overlooked the fact that Marian Price received a Royal Prerogative of Mercy [pardon] shortly after her release.

“This document wiped the slate clean for Marian and overrode the licence she was previously released on.”

They are challenging the claimed “loss or shredding” of Ms Price’s pardon, which her legal team believe would secure her release.

“Owen Paterson has no mandate in the north of Ireland nor is he accountable to the people here yet he can disregard the rulings of two judges and keep Marian Price in prison,” the statement read.

“This scenario raises questions about the justice powers devolved to Stormont and the judiciary as well as the independence of this branch of government.

“We believe justice is a core element in the establishment of real peace and stability and would ask everyone to join the procession and rally on April 22 to call with one loud voice for justice for Marian Price and all victims of internment and torture.”

Urgent Appeal