POWs attacked for wearing Easter Lillies on Hunger Strike

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Tuesday March 25, 2008 18:29 by Cael - Sinn Féin Poblachtach

Republican POWs in Maghaberry wore Easter Lilies in honour of Ireland's Patriot Dead. In response to this action, they were charged under prison rules and have been placed in solitary confinement for 48-hours. During their time on the boards the PoWs are refusing food.

REPUBLICAN PRISONERS IN MAGHABERRY ON 48-HOUR HUNGER STRIKE

Republican Sinn Féin has learnt that Republican Prisoners of War in Maghaberry Gaol commenced a 48-hour hunger strike on Easter Sunday.

Republican Prisoners wore Easter Lilies in honour of Ireland's Patriot Dead. In response to this action, they were charged under prison rules and have been placed in solitary confinement for 48-hours. During their time on the boards the PoWs are refusing food.

Director of Publicity, Richard Walsh, said that “The screws and Loyalists are free to roam around Maghaberry wearing the British Imperial poppy, but anyone who dares honour their own country's martyred dead is invariably punished.

“Republican Prisoners are to be congratulated for their honour and discipline in rejecting these obscene policies in Maghaberry. Having endured ten months of protest inside Maghaberry in the recent past, the prison authorities in the employ of the British Government have once again forced the prisoners into protest action.

“We salute the prisoners in Maghaberry for their unbroken spirit in spite of ongoing attempts to marginalise and criminalise them in their pursuit for the freedom of Ireland.”

ENDS