Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Priority Questions
Northern Ireland Issues
5. Deputy Clare Daly (Ind) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he has taken in his dealings with the Northern Ireland and British authorities to highlight the wide-spread concern that exists in relation to persons (details supplied) being in prison without knowing the charges against them and without an open trial.
Deputy Eamon Gilmore (Lab): I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor these and other cases very closely. The first individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011, following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Genuine concerns about several aspects of this case have been raised by Deputies on many occasions, and I have raised them very frankly with the British Government, most recently when I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Monday, 11 February. I have been advised that the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland will determine in March on the issue of her continued detention.
In relation to the second individual referred to, the British authorities have confirmed that he was released under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual, has as a result, been in custody for the past two years and nine months. I understand that an appeal on the case will be heard by the Supreme Court in Belfast shortly. As the case is the subject of an ongoing legal process, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Deputy Clare Daly: I appreciate that the Tánaiste has raised those matters but all of us need to do more. We were among a cross-party delegation that went to Maghaberry Prison where we visited both Martin Corey and Marian Price in recent weeks. The health of Marian Price in particular is a cause of grave concern. We all have a role in putting pressure, not just on the British authorities but also on the Northern Ireland Administration. Deputy O’Sullivan is correct; the Minister, Mr. Ford, could release the two individuals on compassionate grounds at the stroke of a pen.
The issue is a serious one. I am shocked that the media have not taken it up to a greater extent. The cases involve two people who have been in prison for almost two and three years, respectively. They do not know the charges against them. Their solicitors are not entitled to the evidence against them. In the case of Marian Price’s parole commission hearing, a representative is being appointed on her behalf to represent her. This is a person she cannot meet, who cannot discuss matters with her or talk to her. This person will attend her hearing, which will be held behind closed doors, which she herself is not allowed to attend. If that was taking place in a tin-pot African dictatorship, we would be banging our drums demanding justice. It is happening on this island and it is absolutely unlawful and disgraceful. I echo the point made previously on whether we can get an official from the southern Government to be a public voice at the hearing. Could we demand that the case is held in public and that Marian Price and her solicitor could attend? Could we begin to address the issues in the broader European Union community because it is a serious erosion of human rights?
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: Two cases were referred to in the question. In one case a Supreme Court case is shortly to be held on it so I cannot say anything much further in that regard.
In the second case the individual was sentenced to two life terms of imprisonment – 20 years imprisonment to run concurrently. In March 1975 the individual concerned was transferred from prison in England to Armagh Prison. On 30 April she was released from Armagh on humanitarian grounds. The release was on licence and the licence was then revoked on 15 May 2011 by the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. An issue arose about the terms of the revocation. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Office inform us that the parole commissioners considered the terms of the royal prerogative of mercy after receiving submissions on behalf of the prisoner, that the Secretary of State ruled that the life sentences were not remitted by the royal prerogative of mercy, and that the individual remained subject to the life sentence.
The prevailing policy within prisons themselves is a devolved matter which is the responsibility of the Department of Justice in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Prison Service is an executive agency of the Department and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. I have received a briefing on the assessment of the parliamentary delegation which visited Maghaberry Prison. My officials are monitoring the situation closely. It is the subject of discussion between the Secretary of State and I and between officials of my Department and corresponding officials in the Northern Ireland Office. That will continue to be the case. I am very much aware of what is going on.
Deputy Clare Daly: If people have done something wrong and have broken the law, they should of course be brought to justice and to trial. This is the opposite case where people are imprisoned for a period of years whose cases have been heard in open court. They have been found to have no case to answer and then secret evidence has been introduced behind closed doors. That is a fundamental attack on human rights and civil rights for everyone in Irish society and beyond.
We do not know that the royal pardon did not cover the sentences because the official excuse is that the pardon has gone missing. Therefore, how do we know what was specified in it?
Why does Martin Corey have to go to the Supreme Court? An open court has already said he has no case to answer. These are serious matters. It is 41 years since Bloody Sunday when people marched against internment. Now there is a new Administration and a new power structure but people are in prison who do not know the reason they are there. The Northern Ireland Minister for Justice could release those two people at the stroke of a pen. I hope that when we have next month’s ministerial Question Time, we do not have to raise the two cases in question because if Marian Price is not released soon on compassionate grounds, given her ill health, it will lead to a seriously destabilising situation in the North for the foreseeable future.
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: In one case, as I said, there will be a Supreme Court hearing and my information is that it is due to be held shortly. A date was set for it earlier in the month but the hearing was not held on that date. I understand a new date will be set for it shortly.
My understanding is that the parole commissioners will hear the Marian Price case in early March. Three dates have been indicated to me as to when the case will be held and it has been indicated to us that there will be a decision shortly after that. Clearly, we cannot prejudge what that decision is likely to be and I will certainly be keeping a very close watch on what is happening and my officials will be doing that on my behalf.
Other Questions
Northern Ireland Issues
9. Deputy Gerry Adams (SF) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the various legal proceedings currently being taken by persons (details supplied) to set aside the indeterminate sentence being imposed on them by the British Secretary of State, Ms Theresa Villiers, without access to judicial proceedings in which they can see, hear and challenge the evidence against them; and if he has expressed his abhorrence of the denial of fair judicial procedure to these two Irish citizens
29. Deputy Mick Wallace (Ind) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the fact that Marian Price has been interned without trial for a period of nearly two years, if he will consider raising the matter at a European level; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
30. Deputy Frank Feighan (FG) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the Marian Price case; and the action he is taking to advance the case
33. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh (SF) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the deterioration of the physical and mental health of a person (details supplied); his views on their prison conditions; and if he has discussed them with British Secretary of State, Theresa Villiers.
63. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (Ind) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with the Northern Ireland Office and the Secretary of State with regard to Marian Price; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
66. Deputy Damien English (FG) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Stormont Assembly Minister, David Ford, denied until the last minute compassionate parole to persons (details supplied); if he will raise with Minister Ford at their next meeting the need to address compassionately requests from both in view of the limbo position in which they have been placed, having being neither charged with an offence, nor given a release date, granted bail or seeing the evidence against them; and his views on a royal pardon issued to one of the persons in the 1970s being conveniently misplaced.
67. Deputy Martin Ferris (SF) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised with the British authorities the continued detention-internment without trial of two Irish citizens (details supplied) in prison; and if he has demanded their immediate release.
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 29, 30, 33, 63, 66 and 67 together.
I am very aware of the cases to which the Deputy refers and my officials monitor these and other cases very closely. The first individual referred to has been detained since 13 May 2011 following the revocation of her life licence by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Genuine concerns about several aspects of this case have been raised by Members on many occasions, and I have raised them very frankly with the British Government, most recently when I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland last Monday, 11 February. I have been advised that the parole commissioners will determine in March on the issue of her continued detention.
In relation to the second individual referred to, the British authorities have confirmed that he was released under licence in 1992. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland revoked that licence in April 2010 and the individual has as a result been in custody for the past two years and nine months. I understand an appeal in relation to the case will be heard by the Supreme Court in Belfast shortly. As the case is the subject of an ongoing legal process, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.
Deputy Seán Crowe: There has been some discussion of this but I want to add a few points. The nature of these cases involves unseen and unknown evidence, so it is difficult for people to defend themselves when they do not know what evidence has been presented against them. The common denominator is the involvement of shadowy figures in the background from MI5 and MI6 who are not friends of the Irish peace process. The Minister said he would get the report of the delegation that visited Marian Price. That delegation has stated that her health is getting worse and we know she is only allowed to exercise in a corridor late at night, with no access to the fresh air or the environment. She is also concerned that there is talk of closing the wing she is on and returning her to what she described as the dungeon. She said that part of the problem with the dungeon was that she was refused access to medication. The Red Cross has been refused access to Hydebank where she is being held. Will the Minister raise that with the British Government?
Deputy Eamon Gilmore: I have already brought to the attention of the Secretary of State the previous visit that was undertaken by a group of Oireachtas Members whom I subsequently met and whose report and assessment I was given. On a continuing basis, we have raised with the Minister for Justice in the Northern Ireland Executive the conditions in which Ms Price is being held. The immediate focus is on the hearing by the parole commissioners that is due in early March.
Fr. Mc Manus Visits Marian Price
ReplyDeleteCounty Fermanagh.Northern Ireland. Friday, February 22, 2013 – Marian Price was today visited by Fr. Sean Mc Manus, President of the Washington-based Irish National Caucus. He spent ninety minutes with her, accompanied by her husband Jerry Mc Glinchey and her attorney Peter Corrigan.
Fr. Mc Manus said: I have been raising Marian’s case with the U.S.
Department of State and the U.S. Congress, and I wanted to visit her to show both personal and Irish-American solidarity. My heart was broken and my soul outraged by how this heroic Irishwoman has been treated. This seriously ill, lovely, soft-spoken woman should not be in prison. Her persecution – yes, persecution – makes a mockery of the Irish peace-process, questions the whole judicial system, and raises doubt as to whether there has, indeed, been a “ new beginning” to policing in Northern Ireland. Surely Peter Robinson, Martin Mc Guinness, David Ford and the NI Secretary of State must know that there is something rotten withtheir government’s treatment of Marian.”
Fr. Mc Manus added : “ I was so impressed that despite all the inhumane treatment and judicial misconduct, Marian has maintained her dignity and self-respect.”
He concluded: “ When Peter Robinson and Martin Mc Guinness come to Washington for their annual St. Patrick’s Day visit, the hard truth will be this: No matter how nice or encouraging their words, their message will be overshadowed by their government’s treatment of Marian. Her cruel mistreatment will mock their words, telling Washington there is still something rotten in Northern Ireland.”
END
Fr. Sean Mc Manus
President
Irish National Caucus
P.O. BOX 15128
Capitol Hill
Washington, DC 20003-0849
Tel. 202-544-0568
Fax. 202-488-7537
sean@irishnationalcaucus.org
Clare Daly's point that if Ms. Price's treatment "was taking place in a tin-pot African dictatorship, we would be banging our drums demanding justice" is emotionally satisfying, but unfortunately incorrect - at least insofar as the reaction of most people is concerned.
ReplyDeleteThat people in power will go to any extent they feel necessary to neutralize perceived threats to their predominance is a cross-cultural reality.
That still more people will quietly acquiesce to such exercises of power is likewise a cross-cultural reality, because most people, at some level, perceive that the crushing of opponents is not nearly so much directed toward the opponent as it's directed toward the fears of the people witnessing that power being exercised.
Whether the powerful dress in tribal garb or in linen suits is immaterial; what matters is that the rank and file learns that they or their loved ones could just as easily suffer consequences similar to those who've had the gaul to oppose the existing order.
Marty,
ReplyDeleteYou are right Gilmore after his state pension. Does anyone know what is the stormount pension for a MLA, when you get it and for how long. I have no idea how this pension works, for example if you serve a 4 year term as a MLA, do you get a 4year pension at 65 for a man, or life, if so what an expense that would be on the tax payer with 108 MLA, every 4 years?
Clare does a great public service.
ReplyDeleteGilmore's Reply to Clare shows how the British are hoodwinking the Irish TD's, "I met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on Monday, 11 February. I have been advised that the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland will determine in March on the issue of her continued detention.". Is it not a well known fact that neither the parole commissioners nor the Justice Minister Have any say in the release of Prisoners held under secret evidence, This is down to Villiers and MI5, so the only outcome could be that MI5 authorise the Release and pass the information to the parole commissioners to release them on special terms. But withstanding that, It's about time all those TD's started to ask questions on the subject , at the same time.
ReplyDeleteLets wait and hope the outcome in march is in favour of release, although I'm sure it will be under very stringent terms.
Clare Daly appears to be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to public representation,may she never become corrupted by the trappings and expense accounts the state uses to suck so many in,Eamon Gilmore is an example from socialist revolutionary to a bankers bag carrier,willingly carrying out the wishes of foreign bankers,who could not care less if a nation starved just as long as they recover their investments,Eamon Gilmore gives no more a fuck about the plight of Marian or Martin than he does about the Irish population as a whole.good on you Clare we could do with a lot more like you and none of the others.
ReplyDeleteJames they used to say the civil service was a job for life ,the MLA,s have that well beat ,subsidised dinners,expense accounts ,free transport for ministers,junkets galore, holidays equal to working days and the word working is used losely here, yip more than a place of work Stormont can be described as a rest home for wankers. pensions why the fuck would they worry about pensions its a job for life even after death who honestly could tell the difference given their programme for government work rate.I reckon the skinny ones in Stormont are really dead bodies.
ReplyDeleteSaid it bafore folk, I think the only way to advance this matter, with attendant negative international publicity possibly pressurising the brits into conditional release/bail for these internees is our government bring the case to the ECHR, another Ireland v. UK!
ReplyDeleteThe lenght of detention, the use of closed material and the issues attaching to these arrests if brought to international attention will show the occupiers up as the 'tin pot African dictatorship' referred to by Claire.
Does it occur to anyone here that the GFA had mandated victory for Britain and defeat for the Occupied Irish?
ReplyDeleteAnd the complicit "Irish" gov't did their part for their British masters; by gutting Ireland's Constitution's Articles 2 and 3 that had laid claim to the entire island and its surrounding waters. So the people of Ireland, having voted for the sign-over of the Six-Counties, must have expected continuation of these "legalized" crimes against democracy-seekers.
I am glad to see proactive people like Clare, but at the same time I read the lip service of Adams - who we all know doesn't give a fuck - all positive thoughts that this could be of any help to Marian,Martin at all fade.... answered by the same old rhetoric .....same old bullshit.
ReplyDeletePleased to see Marion and Martin's unjust Internment getting at long last some decent attention chairde. Due in no small part by the ongoing and constant anti-Internment social-media Activists!
ReplyDeleteFair play to Clare and Fr. Sean and thanks to them both! I like many other Republicans haven't much faith in Leinster House or their Representatives but at least the Campaign is beginning to bite the Establishment in public.
Thanks once again to Mackers for highlighting Martin & Marian's incarceration...
Both Martin Corey and Marian Price
ReplyDeletegot out of their prisons to visit a
loved one during a wake/funeral-neither of the two had the police or prison guards with them when they went to be with their family and friends and could have easly got away if they had of wanted to and there would have been thousands of houses accross Ireland where they would have been more than welcome to stay in-but the choose to go back to the prisons because there word was good and it meant that no excuse could be made to the next Republican in such circumstances-they should be at their homes with there familys-thats all they want-them getting out and going back in is proof they are not a danger to anyone-
Chris-
Chris McGimpsey and his brother tried to get rid of Articals 2 and 3 in the high court during the 80s-they failed-its ironic that both agreed to the new Articles 2 and 3 in the GFA-amazing that you yourself never mentioned those new articals Chris-do you not like them kid-
Michaelhenry,
ReplyDeleteAmendment 19 killed of Articles 2 and 3 as previously constituted. I never much thought the articles meant a great deal in material terms on the ground. However Article 19 codified what already existed - the South's acknowledgement of partition and bulking it out with democratic lgitimacy. This is what makes it such a powerful reversal of the Provisional war logic and strategy and what makes the Provisional struggle such a failure.
Michael Henry; you talk about the 1999 versions of articles 2 & 3 like they're a positive thing.
ReplyDeleteCan you explain?
Belfast Bookworm-
ReplyDeleteThey are positive to me because they are part of the GFA-the old versions were out-dated and had the
whiff of 26 county political partys about them- At least you admit to knowing that Articals 2 and 3 are still about-you would be surprised by the number of people who never read pages three and four of the GFA- [ or pretend they never read them ] did you like when the 1920 goverment of Ireland
act was removed-and all the acts that pre-dated that one-[page 3 also ]go on-say you had a few beers when you read that-i raised a glass to every man- woman- boy- girl who fought for Ireland-
Michaelhenry,
ReplyDeletethis sounds so much like vacuous waffle. Surely a better defence of the GFA can be made than this. I have heard opponents of the GFA make a more robust case for the merits of the GFA than what you have put.
The sole purpose of neutering 2 & 3 was to allay unionist suspicions not to advance nationalism or republicanism. Neither keeping them nor getting rid of them meant anything in terms of substance on the constitutional position of the NI state. The consent principle/unionist veto was now elevated to a pantheon all on its own emblazoned in neon lights and under no threat from a competing territorial claim(even though few of us doubted it had not already been firmly embedded).
The Government of Ireland Act meant nothing by the time it was replaced. It was an aid to the British case and did nothing for the nationalist one. It allowed the British to merely restate the terms on which they would leave (with majority consent in the North) Ireland while freeing them of the charge that they had some claim to the place that existed independent of the majority in the North.
Michael Henry, so giving over our national territory claim to a wishy-washy, happy-clappy 'entitlement' issue that was put in place to appease unionism was a positive move?
ReplyDeleteCan you elaborate on this?
Also, I find your comments about my understanding this quite patronising - particularly coming from you.
I voted NO in the GFA for this very reason and didnt take the vote lightly. You can bet your bottom dollar I knew I understood it before I cast my vote.
From Sandy Boyer:
ReplyDeleteThere will be a Marian Price contingent in the Sunnyside, Queens, NY "St.Pat's for All" parade on Sunday March 3.
This is urgent because Marian's parole hearing will stat on Friday. At least in the short term, this may be Marian's only chance to be free.
We will assemble at 12:30 at 47 Street and Skillman Avenue.
We will have a "Free Marian Price" banner and we can distribute messages
from Jerry McGlinchey, Marian's husband and Bernadette Devlin McAliskey.
Mass Transit Directions:
#7 Subway - Take to 46th Street and Bliss Street. Walk to 47th Street and
Skillman Ave.
Alternate Subway/Bus routes:
Take the R Subway to 46th Street (exit near intersection of 46th Street and Broadway) and transfer to the Q104 bus heading to Sunnyside. Get off at 48th Street and Skillman Ave. Walk to 47th Street (and Skillman Ave.). Or, take the E or F trains to Jackson Heights 74th Ave/Roosevelt, then take the Q32 bus to 58th St. and Skillman Ave, then walk to 47th St (and Skillman Ave.)Like
· · F
A MESSAGE FROM JERRY McGLINCHEY, MARIAN PRICE’S HUSBAND
ReplyDeleteMarian and I and our families are delighted that you have made 'Justice For Marian' a theme for your parade today.
We are very much heartened by all who continue to work for her release.
As you are aware her health has deteriorated greatly during the now almosttwo years of isolated imprisonment.
Once again we thank you for your support and prayers: FREE MARIAN NOW !
Jerry McGlinchey
The Justice for Marian Price Campaign call on all concerned with the blatant abuse of Human Rights in the case of this gravely ill woman
ReplyDeleteto attend the rally in Coalisland on International Women's Day the 8th
March. The rally will be held at the Civil Rights Monument, Main Street commencing at 7.30pm. Marian has been interned in solitary confinement for almost two years and will spend her second Mother's Day and International Women's Day held in an isolated hospital unit. This outrage must be ended and ended now. We have to show our solidarity with Marian and shout with one loud united voice FREE MARIAN PRICE NOW. Following the rally the Free
Marian Group in Coalisland will also hold an exhibition to pay tribute to
all those women who suffered injustice, degradation and denigration as republican prisoners. For people travelling to Coalisland from Belfast a bus will leave Conway Mill at 6pm.