Collapse of charges against Matt Conway

national | miscellaneous | news report Saturday January 18, 2003 18:06 by Republican

Statement by Des Dalton, Kildare Republican Sinn Féin January 15, 2003

The collapse of the case against Kildare man Matt Conway, a member of the Republican Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle, who walked free today, Wednesday 15, from the Non-Jury 'Special Criminal Court' in Dublin was welcomed by Kildare RSF spokesman Des Dalton,Athy. In a statement he said that this further highlights the fact that the trial of the seven remaining men, including RSF Vice-President Des Long, on IRA membership charges, based entirely on the word of a Police chief superintendent with absolutely no supporting evidence, is nothing short of a "Political show-trial which would put Columbia or Stalinist Russia to shame".

"From the beginning this trial has been part of a concerted campaign by both the 26 County State and their 'Political Police' to sabotage Republican Sinn Féin's legitimate political work, in an attempt to silence all opposition to British Rule in Ireland .

The other seven men face the same charge as Matt Conway and therefore the case against them must also be suspect. The fact of the matter is that in the 26 County State today the word of a policeman can imprison people and this power is being abused by the bringing of spurious charges. This is a gross assault on the Civil and Human Rights of all Irish people." Des Dalton said.