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.

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Comments (6 of 6)

Let's not forget...

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?

Ard Comhairle statement

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

Teach na failte Ireland Statement

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.

Draconian ain't the word...

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.

internment and torture

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.

injustice

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.

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Many have eyes, but can not see...

Comments (6 of 6)