Neutrality on trial

national | anti-war / imperialism | press release

Saturday June 12, 2004 16:13

by karen - faslane peace camp/pitstop ploughshares

Solidarity with Mary Kelly needed

Political and moral reasons why the (re)trial of Mary Kelly is important to everyone...

As the time rapidly approaches for the unwanted although probably inevitable visit to Ireland by a certain “ bushwhacked (un-elected) president of the U.S of A., Mary Kelly is to be tried for the SECOND time for Defending Irelands Neutrality and trying to prevent the heinous crime of genocide committed against the sovereign state of Iraq by upholding the law (constitutional/national/international).

Mary’s trail will be held on the 15th of June in the same court (Kilrush, county Clare) and with the same judge (Carol Moran) who incidentally directed the jury to find her guilty the last time she was tried, he also prevented some of her witnesses from speaking and has stipulated that in this trial she is to be prevented from “running the same line of defense”. It is possible that the trial will last for two weeks. Just in time for Bush…

Politically, this seems to be a very good manoeuvre by the state in that it may be able to have the whole matter dealt with quietly (or so they may hope), and let us not underestimate the “brownie” points which would arise in gratitude from the current U.S. administration for Bertie and his merry men upon a “favourable resolution” to this activist situation.
The plaintiff in Mary’s trial happens to be the United States of America, who are being represented by the D.P.P. although they would like the general population to believe it is the Irish state who are placing her under trial. (There is proof of this)
The same regime has recently imprisoned animal rights activists in the states under terrorist charges for their political activities against such companies as Huntington life sciences etc. The U.S. is also targeting anti-capitalist and grassroots activists in the same manner, as is Britain, Ireland may not be long in following the corporate trend.

Mary’s trial is of the up-most relevance to the peace movement in this country and the future treatment of politically involved peaceful non-violent direct action activists and demonstrators alike. If the D.P.P. manage to get a jury to convict Mary Kelly of criminal damage for the peaceful disarmament of a U.S. warplane, it will set legal precedents, which in turn can and probably will be used against future activists in this country.

There are a lot of very good individuals, anti-war groups and organisations concerned about the Bush visit that will do their best to extend one hundred thousand un-welcomes on behalf of the emerald isle.
I hope that there will be just as many in the courtroom in Kilrush to extend one hundred thousand thank yous to Mary and hopefully she shall be acquitted.