PREVENT ANOTHER TRAGEDY FOR
REPUBLICAN PRISONERS - ACTION REQUEST
Please make your
voice heard!!
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Dateline: TUESDAY DECEMBER
9, 2003 The Northern Ireland Prisons Service is continuing to house Republicans alongside loyalist death squads. The
following statement released from Marian Price and Martin Mulholland in Belfast
yesterday: PRESS
RELEASE. "A
republican prisoner from Strabane was attacked by six loyalist youths on Sunday
night past (7th Dec) in Hydebank Young Offenders Centre outside Belfast. 17 Year
old Joseph Barr was in his cell when the loyalist youths attempted to hang him;
luckily they were disturbed before any serious damage was done. "(We)
have consistently called for James Barr’s transfer to the republican wing in
Maghaberry where he will be safe from attack but are told that this is against
the European convention of human rights for children because of his age. "The
Northern Ireland Prison Service knows full well the implications of leaving a
single republican prisoner surrounded by hostile loyalists and criminals and we
call on them to provide security for Joseph Barr until he leaves the
institution. "Joseph
Barr turns 18 at the end of December and any procrastination on his transfer
will be viewed as a deliberate attempt to endanger his life further. "(We)
are also wary of attempts to move two women prisoners from Maghaberry to
Hydebank. The two republican women have stated their intention of staying put
and we demand they receive adequate protection and amenities rather than the 23
hour lock up they are currently forced to endure. "(We)
believe that it would be a pity if after a protracted prison struggle has just
finished, another is embarked upon for the same basic principals that the
government have already conceded. Statement
ends. |
SAMPLE LETTER: PREVENT ANOTHER TRAGEDY FOR REPUBLICAN PRISONERS - TO NIO/NIPS
Please send an email or letter to the Northern Ireland Prisons Service and the Northern Ireland Office today!!
5 EASY STEPS!
1. SELECT all text in gray box below,
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2. Click HERE
and HERE
3. PASTE text in each e-mail window
4. ADD your name and city to bottom signature for each email
5. Hit SEND
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To whom it may concern; Please do not allow another needless tragedy to take place at a prison under your jurisdiction. I am aware that in the recent past, several Republican prisoners were brutally attacked by gangs of loyalist prisoners at Maghaberry Jail before they were transferred under great public pressure into safe and separate housing areas at Maghaberry’s Lagan House. This action surely averted the preventable deaths of a number of Republican prisoners. I am now made aware that a youth prisoner who wishes to be transferred to this safe and segregated area at Maghaberry is continuing to be held amongst loyalist death squads at Hydebank Youth Offenders Center. While I am told that this transfer is not allowed under European conventions, I am appealing to the Prisons Service to take immediate steps to ensure that this young man is removed from danger and is housed amongst fellow republican prisoners in safe company, and not as he is currently amongst hostile loyalist youths. Also I am aware that the Prisons Service now intends to move two female Republican remand prisoners away from Maghaberry Prison, against their stated wishes, and into the clearly hostile loyalist atmosphere at Hydebank. I am appealing to reason that you do not place these two women Republican prisoners into the hostile loyalist atmosphere at Hydebank, but allow them to stay at Maghaberry; and as the Steele Repost has recommended; assure that they as well are housed under safe and non hostile conditions. I am concerned to learn that these women are still held under 23-hour-a-day lockdown, and that they have not been provided with proper amenities. Also I urge you to consider the transfer of 17-year-old Republican prisoner Joseph Barr to the safe and segregated Republican housing at Maghaberry’s Lagan House as soon as possible. Thank you for your consideration of my concerns; (Your name/city here) **Please also consider listing any civic or cultural organizations which you may belong to below your name. |
OR write/phone:
NORTHERN IRELAND OFFICE
Mr. Paul Murphy - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Block B
Castle Buildings
Belfast BT4 3STGTN
Phone: 440 02890 520 700 (24 hours)
Fax: 02890 528473/528478/528482
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NORTHERN IRELAND PRISON SERVICE
Mr. Peter Russell - Director General
Room 321
Prison Service Headquarters
Dundonald House
Upper Newtownards Road
BELFAST BT4 3SU
Phone: 028 9052 5065 - (General Enquiry Line)
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