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| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Ongoing Mistreatment of Irish Political Prisoners in Britain Date: 10 24 02 Details follow regarding three current cases of inhumane treatment to Irish prisoners in British jails. Thank you to prisoners' rights supporters in London for their invaluable and ongoing help in monitoring these situations.
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| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Maghaberry Prisoners to issue statement Date: 10 24 02 Prisoners at Maghaberry are set to release a statement, to be published here shortly, in response to Saturday’s announcement by Portlaoise political prisoners. Despite extensive press manipulation of the facts, Saturday’s statement was not a call to “disband” or an effort to negotiate early releases; but was a call for the removal of a leadership figure outside the prison. More to follow soon on this story. The Irish Freedom Committee® www.irishfreedomcommittee.net *********************************************** The following news item has been transcribed courtesy of Stormont Watch Forum. ----------------- Derry News Thursday 24 October Maghaberry prisoners to rule out truce - By Mark Mullan Real IRA prisoners in Maghaberry Prison are set to release a statement backing the groups’ leadership and rejecting pleas from Portlaoise inmates for the RIRA to disband, the Derry News has learned. Suggestions that prisoners in Portlaoise were prepared to offer disbandment in return for lighter sentences have been circulating for some time but – as the Derry News revealed three weeks ago – the membership on the outside is violently opposed to any such move. On that occasion senior members of the RIRA declared that the Portlaoise inmates had no authority to speak for the movement – in keeping with traditional republican policy – they lost all rank when they went into jail. Speaking exclusively to this paper, senior RIRA figures insisted that their campaign would go on – and to emphasise the point they passed on photographs of members training with sophisticated weapons such as AK-47 assault rifles and an improvised sniper rifle. However, the majority of the Portlaoise prisoners – including alleged Chief of Staff Michael McKevitt – endorsed a statement released at the weekend in which they called for the organisation to stand down – prompting reports that there had been a major split. But last night, senior RIRA sources adamantly denied that this was the case and insisted the only faction who were not backing the leadership were the Portlaoise prisoners led by McKevitt. They also warned that their “long war” would go on. Meanwhile, it is also understood that a statement outlining the position of RIRA prisoners in Maghaberry prison – including Derryman Ciaran McLaughlin – is highly likely to be drafted and could be released within hours. The statement is expected to reject the disbandment call and pledge allegiance to the present leadership. Campaign of violence These latest revelations look set to add to the pessimism that the Real IRA’s five-year campaign of violence may not be coming to an end. Within hours of the Portlaoise statement being made public, the organisation appeared to signal its response with a coffee-jar bomb at Castlederg* PSNI station and a series of hoax bomb alerts, which brought traffic chaos in Belfast. ----------------- *Castlederg is in Co. Tyrone. Footnote: The Derry News, on page 6, to-day carried an advert displaying the logo of the Irish Anti-Partition League, and details on its Internet forum – “Stormont-Watch” – www.voy.com/70381/ This was in fact an illustration of the IA-PL's business card, designed and paid for by supporters in the U.S., which bore the message: Ireland is one country England's grip must be broken Help to break it! Join us on the web. Stormont Watch Forum: http://voy.com/70381/ ************************************************ For more information about Irish Political Prisoners and how YOU can help please go to www.irishfreedomcommittee.net -- click on “POWs” ************************************************ © The Irish Freedom Committee® NewsList - IFC Updates |
| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Statement from Portlaoise Prisoners Date: 10 19 02 Increasingly spectacular misinformation, propaganda, and outright lies regarding Irish Political Prisoners at Portlaoise Prison over the past few weeks have culminated today in the sensational headlines “RIRA Disbands!” and “RIRA Ceasefire”. Like the series of press reports that have preceded them, this is Yellow Journalism at its finest and an exercise in pure editorializing. There is also a “dimming down” effect at work to minimize the impact of yesterday’s release of the Stephens Report, laying solid blame on the Special Branch for Pat Finucane’s 1989 assassination. The full text of the actual statement from Portlaoise Republican POWs, released yesterday to the Irish Independent, is printed below. The statement is quite clearly directed at an outside leadership figure, and not at the aims and principles of the organization. The document quite clearly states: “We would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to republican principles and reiterate our steadfast opposition to the Belfast Agreement and British rule in Ireland.”. The statement does not call for “ceasefire” or “disbandment”. Furthermore, the statement contains a firm denial of repeated media allegations of a “deal” in exchange for early releases. The Irish Freedom Committee will continue in its stated goals to stand by True Republican Political Prisoners and the aims of a United, All-Ireland Republic. The Irish Freedom Committee® www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ Republican Prisoners Statement, Portlaoise – as published in the Irish Independent, October 20, 2001 ------------------------- "On Friday, September 27, in a written communication to the Army leadership, the [Real] IRA unit in Portlaoise Prison took the unprecedented step of calling the Army Council to stand down with ignominy. We will not demean our struggle or provide succour to our enemies by revealing the comprehensive catalogue of evidence which has exposed this leadership. However, we do feel duty-bound to state that this Army leadership's financial motivations far outweigh their political commitment to our struggle at this time. IRA prisoners find this morally and politically unacceptable. We believe that the current Army leadership has forfeited all moral authority to lead the [Real] IRA. To date, the leadership has failed to respond to our demand. Thus we feel we are left with no option but to withdraw our allegiance from this Army leadership. We would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to republican principles and reiterate our steadfast opposition to the Belfast Agreement and British rule in Ireland. Furthermore, in order to dispel recent, mischievous leaks to the media, we would like to state that no IRA prisoners' representative has entered negotiations with any government regarding the early release of political prisoners. -IRA unit, Portlaoise." ************************************************ © The Irish Freedom Committee® NewsList - IFC Updates |
| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Tommy Crossan forcefully removed to Magilligan Date: 10 12 02 The Irish Freedom Committee views the forcible relocation of political prisoner Tommy Crossan to Magilligan Prison with great condemnation, particularly in light of recent announcements by the Northern Ireland Prisons Service suggesting that it will reintroduce prison uniforms at the prison. The Irish Freedom Committee urges our supporters and Members worldwide to remain vigilant concerning this ominous news. The Irish Freedom Committee® www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ - PRESS RELEASE – Tommy Crossan forcefully removed to Magilligan Republican Sinn Féin POW Department, 229 Falls Road, Belfast October 12, 2002 Republican Sinn Féin POW Department condemn the moving of Republican POW Tommy Crossan from Maghaberry to Magilligan prison, Co Derry. We call for Tommy to be moved back to Maghaberry forthwith. Tommy Crossan was forcefully moved against his will on Thursday, October 3, 2002. Republican Sinn Féin believe this is just another part of the long campaign by the prisons regime to break Tommy. Maghaberry is bad, Magilligan is worse. Tommy was at high risk in Maghaberry. We believe that risk to his well being is higher in Magilligan. We call for the victimisation of not just Tommy but his family to end. The difficulty of travelling to Maghaberry for his loved ones was hard enough for visits. Now they are forced to travel to Magilligan. This victimisation of Tommy and his family must end. Tommy must be returned to Maghaberry. END THIS INJUSTICE NOW! - ENDS - ************************************************ Andersonstown News August 23, 2002 20 YEARS ON, AN OLD WOUND IS SET TO REOPEN The re-introduction of prison uniforms in Magilligan Jail has been condemned as a 20-year leap back in time. The Andersonstown News has learned that prison authorities plan to introduce the regulation uniform in what is thought to be a pilot scheme that will eventually be standard prison practice in all the North's prisons. But a spokesperson for Republican Sinn Féin says that if the scheme is forced through, prisoners will react angrily and another blanket protest will be inevitable. One prisoner – currently serving a short sentence in Magilligan for a motoring offence – has already had his sentence extended for refusing to wear the civilian-style uniform. Geraldine Taylor of Republican Sinn Féin forecasts chaos if the scheme continues. “The prison authorities are trying to introduce prison uniforms through the back door,” she said. “By quietly issuing uniforms in Magilligan, it is only a matter of time before they attempt a similar scheme in Maghaberry. “We have been contacted by prisoners in Magilligan who say the screws claimed their own clothing was unsuitable and demanded they wear prison clothes or be punished. “We have been aware for some time that the NIO are keen to bring prisons here in line with prisons in England and part of that is the introduction of a uniform. “We have been in touch with several republican prisoners and all are in agreement that the introduction of a uniform would simply not be tolerated. “Anyone who remembers the blanket protest and the subsequent hunger strike will be horrified to hear of this latest plot to strip republican prisoners of their political identity.” She added: “The situation in Maghaberry at present is dire and the prisoners are facing an ongoing uphill struggle. “We have organised an open meeting in Conway Mill this weekend, and would hope that anyone who is interested in helping campaign on behalf of the prisoners and their families will attend.” The emergency meeting to discuss the ongoing crisis within the prison will take place this Sunday at 3pm. A spokesperson for the prison authority said: “We have civilian style clothing that we provide if a prisoner has no clothing of their own. “If a prisoner’s own clothing is deemed unsuitable then we also provide them with clothing.” ************************************************ For more information on Irish Political Prisoners and how YOU can help please go to the Irish Freedom Committee web site at: www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ © The Irish Freedom Committee® NewsList - IFC Updates |
| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Maghaberry Solidarity March - London Date: 10 08 02 Supporters in London are invited to attend a Sunday rally outside the British Home Office, in support of human rights demands to Irish political prisoners at Maghaberry Prison. Several human rights and prisoners' rights organizations are hosting dual protests in solidarity with prisoners at Maghaberry. (Please see IFC NewsList, 10/07/02 – “Republican Prisoners Action Committee: Rally at Maghaberry” – for more details on the rally outside the prison.) Both marches expect a large turnout and are being held to protest brutal conditions for Irish political prisoners at Maghaberry; where several have already been viciously assaulted, and all have had death threats issued against them. Support the four demands!! Don’t let history repeat itself! 1. IMMEDIATE SEGREGATION 2. RECOGNITION AS A GROUP 3. THE RIGHT TO ELECT A SPOKESMAN 4. A WING OF THEIR OWN For more information go to the Irish Freedom Committee website below – click on POWs at the top menu bar. The Irish Freedom Committee® www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ From a prisoners' rights supporter in London; "As you know the IPAC are protesting on Sunday at Maghaberry - and we are |
| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: James Wilson Commemoration, Providence RI Date: 10 07 02 Members of the Providence RI Chapter of the Irish Freedom Committee will host a community event to commemorate Fenian James Wilson of the ‘Freemantle Six”, who escaped a British prison camp in Australia aboard the ‘Catalpa’ in 1876. The rescue, which took two years at sea, has been likened to a modern-day rescue from the moon. Members and supporters on the East Coast are encouraged to attend this day-long commemoration, which includes a book signing by Peter Stevens, recent author of “The Voyage of the Catalpa”. For more information about James Wilson and the Catalpa rescue of the “Freemantle Six” please see the links following the announcement below. The Irish Freedom Committee® www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ NOTICE: The "Searching for James Wilson: from the Catalpa to Central Falls"
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| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: McKevitt case to be dropped to protect MI5 Date: 10 07 02 In a deal designed to cover up its own role in the Omagh atrocity, MI5 are reportedly pulling out of the scheduled McKevitt hearing and have effectively abandoned their star informer David Rupert. Without a trial, David Rupert will not receive the $5 million he had asked for to testify, and his future usefulness to his MI5 and FBI handlers will be lost. Many questions remain unanswered regarding MI5’s knowledge of, and involvement in, the Omagh massacre. Clearly their agent Rupert had a hand in it, either as agent provocateur or “location scout” as has been suggested by his own e-mails; or as an active participant on the day of the atrocity. MI5’s role in the deaths of 29 people will remain safe from exposure for the present time, but not for long. As the second story below indicates, both MI5 and Special Branch were fully aware that the bombing was to take place, knew intimate details of its location and delivery, and allowed it to go forth for reasons of its own. The eyes of the world are watching, as evidence mounts to irrefutably link British intelligence with the needless loss of yet more innocent life in the name of its own colonial interests in Ireland. ----- Below: - Real IRA Chief 'to Go Free in MI5 Deal' – London Observer 10 06 02 - Explosive New Tapes to Lift Lid on Omagh Bomb – Andersontown News 09 23 02 - OMAGH COVER-UP! The Irish Freedom Committee® www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ London Observer 6 October 2002 Real IRA Chief 'to Go Free in MI5 Deal' By Henry McDonald Michael McKevitt, the founder of the terrorist group behind the Omagh bomb atrocity, is likely to serve less than two more years in jail in a deal designed to cover up MI5's role in Ireland. The Real IRA, the organisation McKevitt formed five years go, was responsible for carrying out the massacre in 1998, the single biggest loss of life in the Northern Ireland Troubles. Relatives of those killed in the bombing condemned any deal last night and claimed it was in place to prevent 'dirt coming out about events surrounding the bombing'. McKevitt had been facing up to 15 years in prison over charges of directing acts of terrorism. He has been held on remand for two years in the run-up to this week's trial. But The Observer has learned that the Irish authorities have decided instead to charge him just with membership of the Real IRA. There is mounting concern within the Republic's Department of Justice and the Garda Siochana (Irish police) that a large-scale trial on directing acts of terrorism would expose MI5 involvement in the state. The state's main witness against McKevitt is David Rupert, an American citizen who claims to have infiltrated the Real IRA. Rupert, who is in protective custody in the US, not only worked for the FBI but also, unknown to the Garda's senior command, MI5. Garda sources admit that Rupert's testimony would 'open up a can of worms' regarding British intelligence's recruitment of informers in Ireland. Sir Ivor Roberts, Britain's ambassador to Ireland, is to appear at Dublin's Central Criminal Court this week to oppose the disclosure of documents which McKevitt's defence team allege link Rupert with MI5. He will argue that disclosure could put agents' lives at risk. McKevitt's legal team and supporters have also told The Observer there is a '90 per cent chance' that the charge of directing acts of terrorism - the same accusation which put loyalist leader Johnny 'Mad Dog' Adair behind bars - will be diluted. This would mean the man who founded the Real IRA in November 1997 after a split in the Provisional IRA over the latter's ceasefire would serve just a short term in prison. 'The authorities in Dublin are terrified that a full trial on the directing acts of terrorism charge, which would mean having to bring Rupert to court, would expose MI5's connection to the case,' McKevitt's support group said last night. They alleged that exposing Rupert would risk highlighting the role of two Garda officers who are thought to have helped MI5 in anti-Real IRA operations. McKevitt has sought to distance himself from the Real IRA in the run- up to the hearing. He and 34 fellow Real IRA inmates are understood to be on the verge of issuing a statement calling on the organisation outside to declare a ceasefire. McKevitt's wife Bernadette, the sister of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands, also supports moves towards a Real IRA ceasefire. The families of some of the 29 men, women and children killed at Omagh in August 1998 last night said they were disappointed but not surprised about the deal. Michael Gallagher from the Omagh Victims Legal Fund, whose son Aidan was killed in the bomb, said: 'Nothing would surprise me because sections of the Irish government have been trying for some time to piece together a deal with these people. I think they (the authorities) don't want a lot of dirt to come out about the events surrounding Omagh.' ************************************************ Andersonstown News 23 September 2002 Explosive New Tapes to Lift Lid on Omagh Bomb By Allison Morris Secret tapes belonging to self-confessed Derry informer Willie Carlin will, if proved genuine, finally lift the lid on the truth behind the Omagh bomb it has been claimed. The Andersonstown News has learnt that the tapes, now in the hands of Des Doherty, the Derry solicitor representing the family of Omagh victim Libby Rush, are the most explosive yet. Patrick McGuffin, a journalist with the Derry News, has listened to the tapes and spoken directly to Willie Carlin. He believes the tapes to be the most important pieces of evidence yet in relation to the 1998 bombing. They contain recordings of a phone call between a British journalist and a top ranking Tory discussing the man known as Kevin Fulton. In the Carlin tapes 'Kevin Fulton' can be heard arranging a phone call. He speaks to the reporter before putting the politician on the line. The journalist then plays an earlier recording of Fulton speaking to his Special Branch handler. On the earlier recording Fulton not only reveals that he informed the RUC in August 1998 that something was about to happen, but insists he told them two days before the Omagh atrocity that a bomb was on its way over the border, and gave them the name of the bomb-maker and the bomb car's make and registration. During the conversation Fulton asks his handler if he has a record of what he told him about what was going to happen at Omagh. The handler is hesitant and says he will have to go back and check but then says, "I remember Omagh, about what's coming over the border, but I remember you chatting about Newry more." After listening to the Fulton tape the politician confirms that he had already spoken directly to the handler to confirm Fulton's claims. He adds that they indeed appeared to confirm Fulton's claims over the Omagh bomb saying: "Implicitly he was acknowledging that". He then adds that he is prepared to give Fulton "my public backing." The Tory concerned never went public and is thought to have backed down after finding out that additional information held by both Fulton and Carlin stretched right back to the 80s and involved serious allegations against members of his own party who were in power at that time. The journalist involved also never published the story despite promising £30,000 for the exclusive. Carlin claims the story was 'spiked' after intervention from the intelligence services. Carlin has claimed: "The paper in question took Fulton to a £400-a- night hotel and interviewed him over a period of four weeks last summer. I was there acting as a sort of babysitter for Fulton and recorded several of the interviews. I was a good agent and always knew what sort of information was important." Commenting on the significance of the tape, Derry solicitor Des Doherty said: "I think for a lawyer to receive a tape of this kind is unprecedented, but it has to be put in context. "The actual conversation between Fulton and his Special Branch handler, as I understand it, was already known to the Police Ombudsman. "However, the tape we received puts the conversation into context and the journalist confirms that he independently checked Fulton's story and found it to be correct. The Tory also confirms this. "We have been searching for years for the truth about Omagh. "Our analysis of documents in the Omagh case led us to take legal action on our own behalf as we felt that the RUC did not do enough to prevent the bombing and that the subsequent investigation was a complete shambles." ************************************************ Watch the VIDEO of Lawrence Rushe's challenge to the RUC! |
| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Republican Prisoners Action Committee – Rally at Maghaberry Date: 10 07 02 Two Press Releases regarding next Saturday’s united front protest at Maghaberry Prison, Co. Antrim. The Irish Freedom Committee® www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ************************************************ PRESS RELEASE: Republican Prisoners Action Committee. (For immediate release). CONTACT: 07761 117721. TITLE: PROTEST OVER MAGHABERRY JAIL CONDITIONS The Republican Prisoners Action Committee is a broad based organisation campaigning solely around the concerns of Republican prisoners. To this end the group is calling for a mass protest outside the gates of Maghaberry Jail on Sunday 13th October at 1pm. The aim of the event will be to highlight the declining conditions faced by Republican prisoners in the prison. The past several months have seen assaults from Loyalist inmates, death threats, abuse and intimidation from Prison Guards, along with the harassment of visiting family members. The Republican Prisoners Action Committee and those involved with it, are not prepared to allow the situation in the jail to plummet to the tragic level where Republican prisoners may lose their lives, therefore they are calling for all concerned parties to support this protest. I myself will be available to talk to the media at our meeting point for the day (Quakers’ Canteen car park) at 1pm sharp. If you have any other queries I may be contacted on: 07761 117721. Roger Dillon (Spokesperson). Message Ends. ************************************************ Irish Republican Prisoners Action Committee Protest Meeting At Maghaberry Prison Gather outside prison gates 12h15 Sunday 13 October 2002 Support Segregation for Republican Prisoners ! Stop the Beatings, Scalding and Solitary Confinement ! The Irish Republican Prisoners Action Committee is a new steering committee including different groups and individuals working for segregation of Republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison. The aim of the protest will be to highlight the declining conditions faced by Republican prisoners in the prison. The past several months have seen assaults from Loyalist inmates, death threats, abuse and intimidation from Prison Guards, along with the harassment of visiting family members. The Republican Prisoners Action Committee and those involved with it, are not prepared to allow the situation in the jail to plummet to the tragic level where Republican prisoners may lose their lives, therefore they are calling for all concerned parties to support this protest. Contact Number: 077 611 17 721 E-Mail: republican_prisoners_a_c@hotmail.com ************************************************ For more information about the brutal conditions for Irish political prisoners at Maghaberry Prison, Occupied North Ireland: go to www.irishfreedomcommittee.net - click on POWs ************************************************ © The Irish Freedom Committee® NewsList - IFC Updates |
| IRISH FREEDOM COMMITTEE® NEWSLIST www.irishfreedomcommittee.net ----------------------------- Subject: Chicago Screenings – “Bloody Sunday” Film Date: 10 03 02 The Irish Freedom Committee invites you to attend the Chicago screenings of the film “Bloody Sunday”, debuting in the Midwest at the 38th Annual Chicago Film Festival. The film show times and locations are: ·Sunday, October 06, 2002 – 8:45 PM - The Music Box Theater, 3733 North Southport ($7.00 Parking one block North at Blaine School) ·Wednesday October 09 -- 6:15 PM - The Landmark Theater, 2828 North Clark Street ($5.00 Parking for 3 hours at adjacent garage) Please don’t miss this powerful film, which has received rave reviews from critics and surviving family members alike for its powerful realism and factual adherence to events as they actually happened. Representatives of the Irish Freedom Committee will attend both Chicago screenings with information about our upcoming November events. An informal discussion will be hosted by the Irish Freedom Committee before the 8:45 Sunday screening at the Music Box, and after the 6:15 Wednesday screening at the Landmark – look for us after the show or contact us beforehand at the email address below. Tickets available at Ticketmaster locations citywide – call Ticketmaster at 312-902-1500 or go to www.ticketmaster.com to purchase tickets on-line. Ticket prices are $15.00 each for non-members - $13.00 each for Chicago Film Festival Members (for more information go to www.chicagofilmfestival.com ). The Irish Freedom Committee, Charlie Kerins Unit, Chicago P.O. Box 11417 Chicago, IL 60611 email for info
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