Sample Letter - Irish Republican POW Mick Kenny

Michael McDowell
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
72-76 St. Stephens Green
Dublin 2, Ireland

Thursday June 20, 2002

Dear Minister McDowell;

I am writing in regards to Mick Kenny, a prisoner being held at
Wheatfield Prison in Dublin.

I am very concerned at the news that I and many other Americans have
been reading from numerous sources on the Internet; which
increasingly seems to indicate that Mick Kenny, for reasons which
perhaps your offices can explain to me, has been singled out for
what can only be seen as harassing, abusive and unconstitutional
treatment.

I was somewhat encouraged to hear that following months of
petitioning by Mick Kenny and his family and fiancée; Mick was
transferred to the healthier drug- and cigarette- free environment
on 10G Landing. However, I am somewhat puzzled as to why Mick has
been denied a radio or CD player; items I am aware are permitted
freely to other prisoners at Wheatfield and many other prisons in
Ireland. I am concerned that this is merely an exercise in
punishment. Why are other prisoners allowed the simple pleasure of
a radio and CD player in their cells, while this prisoner is not?

I have recently been made aware that personal mail, particularly to and
from Mick’s fiancée and from his family members, is once again being
detained for up to a week. I am aware that when this situation
arose previously, a series of complaints brought this policy to a
halt; and for several months letters were delivered in a timely and
normal fashion. However it seems that in recent weeks the situation
has once again reverted, and all personal mail to and from Mick
Kenny is being set aside for up to a week before moving on to its
destination. Perhaps your offices can tell me why this systematic
violation of Mick's right to regular and unimpeded contact with his
loved ones, guaranteed to all prisoners under the Irish Constitution
and the European bill of Human Rights, is being permitted?

Also, I would very much like to know why all efforts to obtain an
appeal in Mick's case have been so blatantly obstructed? I am aware
that under the laws of the Irish Constitution, Mick was entitled to
an appeal within one year of his being transferred to Wheatfield.
This appeal has been delayed two years now—and I am concerned that
this un-Constitutional treatment is due to some personal reason
known only to the prison governor or perhaps your offices.

Barring his Constitutional right to obtain an appeal, I do know that
according to Wheatfield Prison's own rules, once Mick had served 26
months of his sentence he would be entitled to be moved, as he
wishes, to the Training Unit at Shelton Abbey. Mick now has 20
months left on his sentence, meaning that for the past six months
Mick has been eligible for this transfer.

I am aware that when Mick Kenny was originally transferred to
Wheatfield, following a brutal and unprovoked beating at Portlaoise
Prison, he was told by officials that he would be there for "four to six
weeks maximum" before being moved to Shelton Abbey Training Unit
or to another prison. I am aware that Wheatfield imposes a much
harsher regime to prisoners than does Portlaoise or Shelton Abbey.
I am becoming increasingly concerned that there are personal reasons
for continuing to hold Mick at Wheatfield, long past the terms of his
legally-entitled right to be transferred have passed. Perhaps your
offices can explain this delay?

The favor of a reply is cordially requested.

Thank you;

_______________________________
(Your Name, Address)