Letters

Josephine Hayden Denied Political Status

More surprisingly, I have yet to see any public statements by any of the more prominent members of the Irish-American Community. If the decision to revoke political status is not called into question, we will continue to see more political prisoners suffer the fate that Josephine Hayden has been forced to endure for the last three years.

Josephine Hayden, the only female Republican prisoner in the 26 Counties, has spent the last three years within the confines of Limerick prison. Even the governor of Limerick Prison, Pat Laffan, has admitted that the conditions for women prisoners are “the worst we have”.

Because of these appalling conditions, Josephine has suffered a heart attack in the last year and had to return to hospital on several occasions and is still attending the hospital. She also has suffered a serious kidney infection.

Due to lack of staff the governor has refused to give her separate exercise as is her right as a political prisoner. She must endure this inhumane treatment because the Dublin government is denying her the most fundamental right that a political prisoner holds — political status.

When Josephine Hayden was arrested for political offences, the men who were arrested with her received political status and were transferred to Portlaoise. Josephine was not granted the same right.

The Irish government claims that it lacks the facilities to give female prisoners political status. In a country so rich in prisons, this seems unlikely. However, as a consequence of this “lack of facilities” for female political prisoners, Josephine will spend the next two years of her life in a prison that has not been refurbished since it was built in 1821, without the status and privileges that are owed to her.

There has been no decision in the south of Ireland yet regarding the status of political prisoners, but if this recent decision on the north regarding the prisoners is not addressed immediately, the future of all political prisoners — male or female and on both sides of the border — promises to be dire.
GINA SIGILLITO
Chairperson
Save Josephine Hayden Committee
Woodside, NY
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Draconian Measures Condemned

Dracon Blair and Dracon Ahern will go down in history as the clown princes of a doomed neo-colonialism.

Joining them will be their co-conspirators Adams and McGuinness along with their master blue-printer John Hume.

Dílseacht (the Republican Forum) regret that former colleagues have placed themselves beyond the Republican pale. Becoming part and parcel of those who traditionally have refused the Irish people their right via national referendum to assert and implement their political freedom and self-determination.

We assert that token arms have already been surrendered by the Provisional leadership to the Dublin administration in relation to the early release of prisoners in the south. In the north they will surrender in due course. That is the logic of their position.
LIAM Ó COMÁIN
Dílseacht
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Hypocrisy Of Bill Clinton

In his wake he leaves behind a trail of grovelling politicians and clergymen from across this island. What a schedule — from the grief-stricken town of Omagh to the sumptuous surrounds of Ballybunion all in a few hours. In this era of hypocrisy and schizophrenia can we expect Clinton to visit Afghanistan and Sudan to express his sorrow for those recently killed and injured in US bombing raids on this states on his orders. Carried out supposedly to “wipe out terrorists” and “rid Sudan of nerve gas factories”.

Or perhaps he would fancy a visit to Somalia where his troops and airmen killed hundreds of Somali civilians whilst hunting Somali “warlords”. What about Bosnia. Would he visit the Serb Republic where (his US-led) NATO warplanes bombed (with the use of radioactive weapons) the Serb community killing hundreds of people and destroying their vital services facilities, homes and hospitals whilst supposedly hunting Serb “war criminals”?

Would he visit Waco where he ordered the destruction of a civilian community, burning to death hundreds of men, women and children whilst supposedly hunting an “armed Guru”? Would he visit death row in a US prison and express his solidarity with a prisoner about to be burned alive or administered a lethal injection after serving a 12-year term behind prison bars?
MARY O’BRIEN
Adelaide
South Australia
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Why no Crown Forces Injuries At Omagh?

I find it amazing, unbelievable that not one member of England’s armed garrison had received a single scratch or serious injury as a result of so powerful an explosion? How fortuitous! How extraordinary that only those civilians who had been herded into a certain locale by the authorities were the only victims. Kindly ponder that aspect of this sad occurrence before buying the politically correct version and spin emanating from the politicos and the media.

While pointing fingers and accusing others of “terrorism” the hypocrites and charlatans within governments throughout the world, including the United States, continue murdering innocent women and children with their smart-bombs and missiles.

Freedom and Peace with Justice and Unity for Ireland.
JOE DILLON
Boston
USA
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Provos Willing to Kill for Stormont

However, two weeks ago I was visited by three men I have not seen in a long time, but I know them to be Provisionals. At first they were very pleasant, but that didn’t last for long. They quickly turned and began to question me about the Omagh bomb. I said that I am an old man and that I know nothing about that terrible bombing. Their questioning terrified me.

They then began to question me about the whereabouts of several weapons they said that were stolen from them. I knew nothing about that, and I told them this. They seemed to believe me and they calmed down. They said that if I knew where any of these weapons were being hidden I was to tell them or the Gardaí.

They then said that if I told anyone of their visit they would come back and finish me off. Then they left.

Even now after two weeks I am still afraid of what they could do to me if they were to find out I have written this letter. However, I feel that I must write to inform other Republicans of the bullyboy tactics that are now being adopted by the Provisionals.

As a former member of the Provisionals myself I am very ashamed by the way they are carrying on. They are not only content to enter a Stormont Assembly and work the British system fully, they are now willing to kill for that same Stormont. This is not what I joined the Provos for. I thought I was fighting for a United Ireland, not a new Stormont.

I hope that these Provisionals don’t visit anyone else. Even though I am an old man, I am strong and was able to cope with the abuse that they gave me. But perhaps there are others that would not be able enough.
FORMER PROVISIONAL
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Unveiling Of Plaque in Co Kerry

Captain Murphy was murdered in Killorglin by Free Staters at Iveragh Road, Killorglin in 1923. The plaque is to be erected on the library wall with the permission of Kerry County Council. The National Graves Association of Ireland wish to thank the Murphy family for placing in trust the plaque to the association.

After the unveiling ceremony a wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the grave of Captain Murphy at Glenbeigh Cemetery and a wreath will also be laid on the grave of Frank Grady, murdered on a Sunday morning at Mountainstags, Glenbeigh by Free State forces. A Celtic cross stands where Frank Grady was shot.

As Kerry representative I wish to thank everyone who is helping the NGA in Kerry to make this unveiling a fitting tribute to Captain Murphy and also to our former secretary Tess Kearney and to our secretary of the NGA Matt Doyle. May I thank Con McCarthy, Tralee for placing in trust to the NGA a lock and key out of one of the cells of Ballymullin barracks, Tralee where the Ballyseedy Martyrs were held until they were murdered at Ballyseedy Cross.
JOHN HOULIHAN
Kerry Representative
National Graves Association
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26-County Police Assaults At Dublin Rally

Bully-boy tactics at the Republican Sinn Féin rally for a British withdrawal in Dublin on September 26. A 26-County police officer tries to stop the public meeting as the chairperson, Councillor Joe O'Neill was speaking.

When a car deliberately tried to knock down a man handing out leaflets the 26-County police stepped in and arrested a youth challenging the driver but let the driver go.

I was punched in the back at least ten times by the 26-County officers and repeatedly by the 26-County policeman in charge. This Superintendent spent the whole rally running up and down the line of those attending the rally like a lunatic hitting and pushing them.

At the end of the rally I was unable to stand for the National Anthem due to the 26-County police pushing me. When I left the GPO I was followed down to the O’Connell monument by two Special Branch men from Kevin Street Barracks.

They asked me for my name and address and when I asked why they pointed at the Superintendent they said I “had impeded him”. When I pointed out that he had assaulted me, the Special Branchman said that he didn’t see him do it.

At this point a man intervened and accused them of harassment. He was taken to one side by one of the men. The other Special Branch man then asked me was I a member of Republican Sinn Féin. When I said no, he said “I would stay well away from that lot if I was you” in an intimidating manner.

After taking my name I was allowed to continue my journey home.
A MAC GHIOLLA BHUIDE
Baile Átha Cliath
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