Many have eyes, but can not see...

by karen Thu Mar 13, 2008 19:16 karenmallin at hotmail dot com 0851294808

hi, after reading about the lads being battered by the ERU whot's new in this country they are the legall murderers of Ireland and with having a brother serving time in portlaoise prison, have had the pleasure of comming face to face with their raids, its like a sceen from the Falls road in the 80s they lose the plot and forget where they are eg (my home) they have no regard to anybody women, children and now wheelchair bound men this country is gone to the dogs in fact they would be better treated ,the prisoners are now being segrated in units for 2 months at a time 23 hrs a day, that will go down very well on release ,being kept away from their families, grudges are being etched on their minds with little eles to do with their time ,why would the goverment get any respect when the people appointed to look after us either kill you or maim you for life, maybe someday they will get it right, but i wont be holding my breath best wishes to all prisoners in portlaoise prison especially those in seg.

by cork owen - irsp Tue Mar 11, 2008 22:32 owen539 at btinternet dot com

the treatment these men received is torture its as simple as that.what about human rights and justice its plain to us all that in the eyes of the Irish government these men do not have rights just another case of selective internment and torture,its clear to see that this can happen to anyone that has certain political beliefs or supports a certain political party,its a shame and disgrace Irishmen are being treated like this ,but sure we always knew all that changed was the color of the flag.

by Outraged! - IRSP Fri Feb 29, 2008 23:39

The arrest of these five political activists and comrades is nothing more than a stunt pulled by the Irish government to destroy the politics of the IRSP within the 26 Counties.
There is no justification for this act and there can be no justification for the law which upholds this behaviour. The Irish government are corrupt, and worse than their British counterparts.

End State oppression of republican socialist politics.

by Teach na failte Fri Feb 29, 2008 00:33

Statement from Teach na Failte Ireland

Re- Arrest and detention of Teach na Failte worker condemned as political harassment. Mr. Emmannuel Conway from Teach na Failte Ireland has condemned the arrest and detention of TnF project worker Eddie McGarrigle as a return to the bad old days of the Special branch Heavy gang of the 1970’s and 80’s.

Eddie McGarrigle is a well respected, advocate for former republican socialist political prisoners across Ireland, and has represented their cases on many occasions directly with the Dublin government.

Mr. McGarrigle who has been confined to a wheelchair for over 20 years, was assaulted and received a broken nose during his detention by the Guards. We condemn without reservation the assault, arrest and detention of our representative and will be referring his case to national and international Human Rights agencies. Any attempt by the Dublin government to equate the work of Eddie McGarrigle for Teach na Failte Ireland with a trumped up charge of INLA membership is strenuously denied by both Mr. McGarrigle and Teach na Failte.

by IRSP - Irish Republican Socialist Party Fri Feb 29, 2008 00:31

Statement on behalf of the Irish Republican Socialist Party
Ard Comhairle

Date 28th February 2008-02-28

RE- Assault, Arrest and Detention of IRSP members on Trumped up Charges Slammed by Ard Comhairle.

The IRSP Ard Comhairle learned with dismay and anger of the assault, arrest and detention of our comrades in the Free State last weekend on trumped up charges.

Three of those arrested were pistol whipped by the Garda including IRSP executive member Eddie McGarrigle who received a broken nose, Mr. McGarrigle has been confined to a wheel chair for over 20 years and could offer no resistance to his attackers.

The IRSP will be holding a protest picket at the Irish government offices in Notting Hill, Belfast tomorrow (29/2/08) at 11.30pm to coincide with the men’s bail hearing in Dublin.

Speaking on behalf of the Ard Comhairle, IRSP representative Paul Little said;

“Both The IRSP and those detained completely refute any allegations of criminality by the Irish Government, the IRSP is a bona fide political party and our work on civil rights and political campaigns across the island is well known. These arrests are the culmination of years of harassment by the free state authorities of our party members engaged in normal, legitimate political activity.”

As a matter of course we will be referring the men’s arrest to international and national human rights agencies.

STATEMENT ENDS

by Seán Ryan Thu Feb 28, 2008 14:43

... that this is one of the areas in our so-called legal system where a Garda may tender 'opinion evidence' and indeed it'll be accepted by the Judges.

Sickening, as indeed is the whole idea behind the Special Criminal Court. Wasn't the State of Emergeny supposedly lifted after the Good Friday Agreement?