Many have eyes, but can not see...

national | rights, freedoms and repression | news report

Thursday February 28, 2008 13:28

by Prisoner Solidarity

Seven republicans, two of which have since been released pending a report by the DPP, have this week been sensationally arrested under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. The operation was carried out by the state’s Emergency Response Unit (ERU) amidst glamorous media reports of a ‘Tiger Kidnapping’ plot of a Cork business man initially.

Many have eyes, but can not see...

At the time Gardaí had reported to the media that the reason for such detentions as some anti terror operation over a series of weeks which resulted in the recovery of a number of firearms, believed to be handguns, as well as other items including ties and tape.

Five of those now held were remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court after being charged with ‘membership of an illegal organisation styling itself the INLA’ on February 22 contrary to the Offences against the State Act.

All five political activists interned - two of them from Strabane in County Tyrone – have since appeared in court.

News has since filtered out that following their detention, all have been brutally assaulted whilst in custody at the hands Special Branch.

One of the republican socialist’s being held is from Cork, a 53 year old had to be hospitalized the following day due to severe back injuries brought about by continuous beatings on his arrest and whilst being ‘interviewed’.

Long time political prisoner activist and former political prisoner Edward McGarrigle, from Strabane who is disabled, suffered bruising to his arms after being dragged from his wheel chair on his arrest and severe bruising his nose and face during a series of ‘interviews’.

Similarly, three others currently held two from Dublin and one from Strabane have also report bruising brought on by beatings at the hands of Special Branch both during initial arrest and ‘questioning’.

While facing the Special Criminal Court special session, at which sits a three-judge panel and no jury, the sitting heard that, when charged, McGarrigle replied: "I believe this is an unjust and unwarranted charge based on a Draconian law. I'm innocent of any charge which will be brought against me."

All are currently being held, prior to their next court appearance tomorrow (Friday February 29th 2008, on the republican E4 landing, Portlaoise. Lawyers for those being held told the court that there would be applications for bail to contest all any charges.