Irish Freedom_Committee_NewsList_December

IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net
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Subject: Letter to Secretary of State Paul Murphy from Co.Tyrone Families of Republican Prisoners
Date: December 18, 2002

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This was forwarded with kindness from Patricia Campbell who will be taking part if the protest tomorrow at Hillsborough Castle re: the human rights abuses of Republican Prisoners and the degrading treatment by 'Dog handlers' to the Families.
Dungannon
Co-Tyrone

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Mr Paul Murphy
Hillsboragh Castle

18TH December 2002

Dear Mr Murphy

Relatives and friends are here today protesting against the ongoing human rights abuses in Maghaberry Goal. It is with regret that the Director of prisons, Mr Peter Russell did not acknowledge our request for a meeting to discuss the relevant issues affecting us and our loved ones held in Maghaberry.

We have lobbied politicians and have sought to bring about awareness of the appalling conditions in Maghaberry Goal. We are outraged at the Junior Minister, Jane Kennedy’s response on 31st October to a letter she received from Mark Durkan M.L.A which outlined our concerns.

Ms Kennedy states there is no evidence to support the allegation that loyalist prisoners are constantly attacking republican prisoners.

Perhaps the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) and Ms Kennedy would explain why the security of those prisoners who received death threats were not protected in any shape or form despite the fact that the NIPS have a duty of care under article 2 of the European Human Rights Act. We are aware that ammunition was found recently in the prison and Governor Maguire stated in response to the find that it was almost impossible to prevent this. He further indicated that small items can be smuggled comparatively easily into the prison. Can you Mr Murphy and the NIPS guarantee the safety of our loved ones? We don’t think so.

We view the use of a sniffer dog as an outright abuse of our human rights and dignity by the NIPS. Many of us have been offered closed visits, which we refuse. This was as a result of the of the dog handler singling us out by tugging the dog lead as the dog appraised us and then stops at the individual and sits which is supposed indicate that the individual involved is drug contaminated. It would be laughable if the situation was not so repulsive. It is an outrageous farcical situation. Indeed the NIPS annual report published July 2002, highlighted there were 346 drugs find in the prison. We would like to add that there were no drugs found on republican prisoners.

This latest revelation quite clearly proves the NIPS claims that the drug dog has proven to be the most effective weapon to prevent smuggling of drugs is nonsense. The NIPS own evidence suggests the contrary.

Mr Murphy we ask you is this atrocious prison system to be part of the ‘new Ireland’ that is much talked about in the current political climate? Is this what the future holds? We ask you to intervene immediately and end this deplorable practice which targets mostly women and children. We also ask you to intervene to put measures in place that will house our loved ones in a safe environment thus protect their lives before it is too late.

Yours Sincerely

Ms Oralith Dillon
Spokesperson for relatives of republican prisoners

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© The Irish Freedom Committee® NewsList - IFC Updates

IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net
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Subject: Christmas Cards to Irish Political Prisoners
Date: 12 13 02

Please send Christmas cards to Irish Political Prisoners in Britain and Ireland this weekend! Writing cards is a small effort anybody can make to bring a great boost in morale to an Irish republican locked up for the Christmas holidays. It is also an enormous help to the families left behind to know that we are here in the US and we have not forgotten the sacrifices their loved ones have made.

Christmas cards can be purchased in bulk packs of 15 to 18 for under $10.00 at most discount stores. Your message doesn't have to be long or involved, even just a signature will do if you're pressed for time. Include your address INSIDE the card if you would like a reply (envelopes are not given to the prisoner). Make sure to address each card individually with the prisoners name on the inside of each card.

Please see a list of sentenced prisoners HERE. Please note several new additions and some address changes.

You will need a total of 56 cards for this list – one for each named prisoner and one group card each for “Remand Prisoners” at Portlaoise on wings E-2, E-3, and E-4. Remand prisoners at Maghaberry do not have their own wing so cannot receive a group card.

A single stamp to Ireland or North Ireland costs .80¢; or you can place all Portlaoise cards into a large envelope, separating Wing E2, E3 and E4 POWs --(ask us more here)-- and mail them Airmail Letter Post, or Global Priority at the post office for a few dollars more. A link is provided below for the US Postal Service for parcel rates and delivery times.

If you have questions regarding sending Christmas cards or small gifts to Irish political please email the Irish Freedom Committee POW Dept. here.

Christmas blessings to you and your families!

Beannachtaí na Nollag

The Irish Freedom Committee®
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net

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United States Postal System – International Rate Calculator
http://ircalc.usps.gov/weight.asp?Contents=0

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© The Irish Freedom Committee® NewsList - IFC Updates

IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net
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Subject: Irish Prisoner Support Event TOMORROW - Chicago
Date: 12 06 02

The Chicago Chapter of the Irish Freedom Committee will host a HOLIDAY
GIFT DRIVE tomorrow, Saturday December 7, at Murphy’s Pub, 7414 W.
Madison Ave., in Forest Park IL-- from 8:00 PM to Midnight.

PLEASE HELP SEND A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO AN IRISH POLITICAL PRISONER!!

The Irish Freedom Committee is hosting this drive to send requested
items in to Irish political prisoners – items such as musical
instruments, magazine subscriptions, language tapes and books,
traditional Irish music CDs, and video cassette recorders for viewing
tapes of loved ones who cannot visit due to illness.

As prizes for donations to our GIFT DRIVE we are offering a variety of
hand-crafted items made for the Irish Freedom Committee by Irish
Political Prisoners, including:

- Full color hand-painted hankie with republican historical theme
- Hand-tooled belt signed by republican prisoners
- Original painting of 1916 Martyrs made by a republican prisoner

Winner need not be present to win – chances are $2.00 each or six for
$10.00. If you would still like tickets for the raffle please email us
below – we will enter you for the drawing provided we receive your
enquiries before 3:00 PM CST Saturday.

Please note ALL DONATIONS WILL STRICTLY BE USED FOR THE PURCHASE OF GIFT
ITEMS FOR PRISONERS.

We are also seeking donations of MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS of any kind, “new,
used, rusty, or dusty” – particularly string and wind instruments.

Please join us if you can for a night of traditional music, Christmas
card signings, good craic and Christmas cheer!

Driving/public trans directions below.

For more information on purchasing raffle tickets please email us below.

Go raibh maith agat and Christmas Blessings to you and your families!

The Irish Freedom Committee®
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net

Raffle ticket or event enquiries HERE
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DIRECTIONS to Murphy’s Pub:

Easy access from Eisenhower Expressway – Exit at Harlem, North four
blocks to Madison, and two blocks west on Madison.

Blue Line on El – get off at Harlem and take Harlem bus four blocks
North to Madison, walk two blocks West to Murphy’s.

CTA / RTA Travel info line: 836-7000 (312 and 773 areas)

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Please watch this space for more information to come on our CHRISTMAS
CARD DRIVE for IRISH POLITICAL PRISONERS.

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WRITE TO IRISH POLITICAL PRISONERS!!
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net

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© The Irish Freedom Committee® NewsList - IFC Updates

IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net
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Subject: Belmarsh Prison U-Turn - EXTORTION FEE RETURNED
Date: 12 06 02

The Irish Freedom Committee is happy to announce to our Members and supporters that Belmarsh Prison has returned the £4,000 pound sterling extortion fee it had demanded for Aidan Hulme’s transportation to hospital, to the Hulme family’s solicitors.

The Irish Freedom Committee views this 180-degree reversal as the direct result of pressure from many months of petitioning and effort from so many of our supporters across the United States who worked tirelessly to email, telephone, and write to British and Free State offices on Aidan’s behalf. Many of you also gave generously to help Aidan to secure his release for surgery, and have been contacted privately last week.

Aidan’s family have expressed their deepest thanks to all of you who helped in the efforts to protest Aidan’s barbaric treatment, and to bring his case to the attention of human rights activists around the world. Aidan’s mother has told us that with our help she will now be able to attend the trial in London of her two boys in January, which is expected to last up to six weeks.

Go raibh maith agat to all of you who gave so generously of your time and your hearts.

The Irish Freedom Committee®
www.irishfreedomcommittee.net

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For more information on the barbaric treatment endured for six months by Aidan Hulme please go HERE and follow several links at top of page:

POWs - ACTION REQUESTS

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SEND A CARD TO AIDAN HULME

Aidan Hulme
Belmarsh Prison
Western Way, Thamesmead,
London SE8-OEB, England

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PLEASE SEND A CARD TO THE HULME FAMILY in Ireland

Cards to the Hulme family and Mrs. Kathleen Hulme (Aidan's mother) can be sent to the Irish Freedom Committee for forwarding. Please remember Mrs. Hulme as the trial approaches. She has suffered a great deal throughout this ordeal and has two sons at Belmarsh prison.

Mrs. Kathleen Hulme
c/o The Irish Freedom Committee
P.O. Box 11417
Chicago IL 60611
USA

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