Support The Pows On Protest In Maghaberry

by J Sat May 21, 2011 14:42

Below is a statement issued by RNU prisoner’s spokesperson Ciarán Cunningham on May 20th.

"It is with increasing concern Republican Network for Unity / Cogus, announces that on Thursday 19th May, republican prisoners in Maghaberry were forced to engage in hand to hand fighting with the prison riot squad for the second time in a week.

West Belfast prisoner Tony Rooney was later taken to Lagan Valley hospital for arm injuries sustained during the attack, which occurred when POWs again refused to recognise the new 7.30 pm lock up order, which they state is a blatant breach of the August 12th agreement.

The August agreement guaranteed for POWs a lock up time of 8.00pm.

As we understand, events leading up to the fight occurred as such.

On Thursday the senior officer in Roe House was informed in writing by RNU represented prisoners that in line with the August agreement they were officially refusing to recognise the new 7.30 lock up time introduced at the beginning of May.

The written statement also demanded that the agreed 8.00 am unlock time was also implemented by the prison administration.
At 7.15 pm screws ordered POWs to ‘lock up’, this call was ignored and at 7.18 up to 40 riot squad officers accompanied by dogs descended upon the recreation area and confronted the prisoners.
At 7.35 one officer 'Maverick’ again ordered prisoners to lock up, when this order was ignored he then turned to the riot squad and told them to ‘work away’.
On launching their attack, the riot squad were resisted physically by POWs and hand to hand fighting continued for at least ten minutes until prisoners were forcibly restrained and ejected from the recreational area.

Tony Rooney who only had his arm removed from plaster two days ago sustained further injuries during the attack and was taken out to Lagan Valley hospital at 11.30pm.

Interestingly, Loyalist prisoners housed just across from the republican wing were able to witness the confrontation from their yard and cheered on the riot squad during their attack, this factor in itself shows that the new lock up time is merely a manoeuvre intended to confront and undermine republicans and does not apply to Loyalists.
This morning the POWs have been told by the governor that he will mobilise the riot squad again today unless the new prison routine is followed, effectively threatening prisoners with violence unless they conform to his new regime.
However RNU represented prisoners are adamant that in defence of the agreement they will only recognise lock up times guaranteed on August 12th.

Morale is high and they are ready for whatever the prison administration throws at them.
Once again RNU & Cogus call for all interested parties to work for the full implementation of the August agreement, we worry that failure to do so may lead to inevitable and disastrous consequences for us all."

by Hurricane Sat May 21, 2011 19:48

they just want another media headline about republicans causing prison riots (without explaining why properly) to insert with nice pictures of the queen being polite. Its a set up.

by K.T. Hawklett - Justice Mon May 23, 2011 08:56

The conditions at Maghaberry prison have been appalling for some years now. It is ironic that it is now the anniversary of the Hunger Strikers and it is now coming to the 30th anniversary. One would have to ask now what did these men die for? I would also ask the question: Who is in charge in Dublin of the Irish Penal Reform Trust funded by various charities and I believe the biggest funding is from the Chuck Feeny Foundation - Atlantic philantropics. Irish Penal Reform Trust should mean what it says and that should include all Irish prisoners on the Island of Ireland and overseas. This is not happening and I would like to ask why? Some of my friends have attended in the last 2 years some seminars hosted by IPRT in top class hotel locations in Dublin. Not one ex prisoner is allowed address the audience. They are not even asked in any inclusive format to give their views or experiences in relation to their incarceration by different governments. Of late, I believe when you phone on behalf of a family who may have a member overseas in custody or even in a jail in Dublin, the advice they give you is: go to your nearest Citizens Information centre. These people are drawing down large salaries and give the impression on various radio stations that they are there in the best interests of Irish prisoners - national and global. This is not true. I would like to see more inclusion from various Civil Liberties groups across this island in relation to Maghaberry and overall to the conditions of prisoners across the island.

Hawklett

by ... Fri May 27, 2011 00:01

is there a 32csm pow protest in cork? are these protests being coordinated?
most people haven't a clue whats going on to be fair.