Tom Kennedy

A bit of news for readers who were worried about the outcome of the Tom Kennedy's ten months in Mountjoy

Readers will, I hope be pleased to learn that Tom Kennedy did get home to his wife and children for Christmas.

On 18th of December the usual two prison officers and prison van brought Tom Kennedy to Dungarvan Court House for his monthly "harangue" before Judge Olive Buttimer. Things followed their usual course with Tom rising and, with clarity and dignity, outlining the gross illegality of his incarcaration. Judge Buttimer as usual did not listen but studiously stared at the ceiling.

At the end, she did look at him and put her hands to her head "Your not going to give in on this, are you?"she said.
Tom spoke quietly "no your Honour"

Then she said "I am going to release you now- on humanitarian grounds"

At that, Tom was joined by his family to travel back home to his family farm at Rossestown Thurles. True to his promise, he walked the land immediately he got home and will remain there.

Who won? who lost? who paid for it all? what was it all about? Why did the media ignore it? why did Indymedia suspend the threads? Why did Judge Buttimer's peers ignore it? Why did legal or human rights people not come to his assistance? Lots of questions, where are the answers? What does it reveal about our country?

There was no need for this man to be sent to Mountjoy for nine minutes, let alone nine months.