Brendan Lillis: Amnesty International and politics
July 27, 2011
In a human rights campaign of Amnesty International, Justice Minister Ford of Northern Ireland (Alliance Party) ‘voted for Justice’…
Is this a justice whereby he let die a very sick man as Brendan Lillis in prison because he don’t want that this man dies at home ?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/amnestyni/5431047906/in/set-72157626011181898/
David Ford Alliance Party MLA for South Antrim
www.flickr.com
David Votes for Justice for Victims of Trafficking and Institutional Child Abuse in Northern Ireland and support for victims of injustice abroad. More details on the campaign: www.amnesty.org.uk/content.asp?CategoryID=11993
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Brendan Lillis is a republican political prisoner currently being held captive in Maghaberry Gaol for taken …part… in PIRA activity back in the 70’s. The initial robbery charges against Brendan that led to his licence being revoked in 2009 have since been withdrawn. Brendan suffers from a condition known as “Ankylosing Spondylitis” and has been confined to bed for the past two years, and giving only a short time to live, he weighs just under 5 stone.
The commissioners said today that they still consider Brendan as a ‘danger to the public’. The statement comes after weeks of protests and hunger strikes, and after several activists were arrested as a ‘dissident’.
There is no reason what so ever as to why the British State should continue to hold this seriously ill man captive any longer. Please come along and show your support for Brendan and demand his immediate release.
More info:
- Friends of Brendan Lillis
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
- Roisin Lynch speaking for the release of her partner Brendan Lillishttp://youtu.be/lrVDu_fnKtE
Photos: Minister Ford – Brendan Lillis, dying
Brendan Lillis: solidarity hunger strike
July 24, 2011
Date: Thu, 2011-07-21
Roisin Allsop, partner of political prisoner is to begin a 3 day hunger strike along with supporters tomorrow in West Belfast to highlight his case and demand his release based on humanitarian grounds. A meeting was also held this week in Derry attended by over 200 people to highlight ongoing state repression and brutality on the inside. Protests are also taking place across Ireland and in London.
Below is a press release released on behalf of Brendan Lillis
‘Brendan Lillis is currently a prisoner in Maghaberry Prison where he is serving a sentence for explosive offences in 1976. Brendan suffers from the condition ankylosing spondylitis and has been confined to bed for the best part of the past two years.
Brendan Lillis is no threat to anybody. Brendan Lillis is dying and has been abandoned by an entire political system which is more interested in making statements about his condition than in applying their political power to remedy the situation.
We call for the immediate release of Brendan Lillis to his partner Roisin so that whatever time Brendan has left on this earth be spent with his immediate family.
Brendan Lillis can not walk; he can not get up from his bed. He is incapacitated, and he is being left alone to die in a prison cell. We have seen enough of our people die in prison cells and find the manner in which Brendan is being treated as an obscenity.
A hunger strike in support of Brendan Lillis will commence this Thursday 21st July at the site of the old Andersonstown Barracks, Belfast. Roisin Lynch, partner of Brendan Lillis will be joined by old comrades of Brendan’s from the Blanket protest days and other former prisoners and concerned individuals. The action is designed to highlight Brendan’s case and the lack of any movement in securing his release from the politicians who know Brendan and knew him as a Blanketman.
Time is fast running out for Brendan Lillis and he should be released immediately.
We call on all people concerned with this grave injustice to come along on Thursday, Friday or Saturday and register your support for a sick and dying man being held hostage by a vindictive and punitive regime.’
Brendan Lillis: BBC Radio Foyle discussion including a contribution from Roisin Allsop
Here is the link to listen to this again.
Click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b012m7nh
Then go forward to 1:05:05
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http://www.wsm.ie/c/brendan-lillis-partner-solidarity-hunger-strike
Brendan Lillis: links to the latest articles
July 24, 2011
Ms Campbell Speech Andytown – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCt1DyQv0bQ&feature=related
Gerard Hogkins Speech Andytown – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuRjhWg1hXE&feature=related
Roisin’s Speech Andytown – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrVDu_fnKtE
Derry Journal 23rd July – http://www.derryjournal.com/news/local/families_support_lillis_campaign_1_2893702
Belfast 32 – http://belfast32.blogspot.com/2011/07/72-hour-fast-for-brendan-lillis_22.html
Utv Latest from Andytown – http://www.u.tv/utvplayer/video/138104/113062
Republican Socialist News – http://www.irsp.ie/news/?p=344
Belfast Telegraph – http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/release-brendan-lillis-campaigners-go-on-hunger-strike-16026395.html
Eirigi Statement – http://www.eirigi.org/latest/latest220711.html
Prisoners Action Group – http://prisoners-action-group.skynetblogs.be/archive/2011/07/22/actions-for-dying-brenda-lillis-are-a-success.html
From Corsica – http://infurmazione.unita-naziunale.org/5016/brendan-lillis-prisonnier-politique-est-en-train-de-mourir-en-prison/2011/
WorkersSolidarityMovement – http://www.wsm.ie/c/brendan-lillis-partner-solidarity-hunger-strike
IrishFreedomCommittee – http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/POWs/BRENDAN_LILLIS.htm
HumanRightsGroup – http://humanrightsgroup.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/northern-ireland-brendan-lillis-dying-in-maghaberry-prison/
UTV 21st July – http://www.u.tv/News/Blanketmen-join-call-for-prisoners-release/e781f523-690e-4ff6-b080-a436525ad8f9
IrishCentral.com New York – http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Northern-Ireland-man-held-in-jail-over-1976-crime-despite-having-served-his-sentence–VIDEO-125943423.html
Prisoners Action Group – http://prisoners-action-group.skynetblogs.be/archive/2011/07/21/northern-ireland-actions-for-brendan-lillis.html
SocialistWorker.org – http://www.www.socialistworker.org/2011/07/21/let-brendan-lillis-go-home
The Pensive Quill 20th July – http://thepensivequill.am/2011/07/on-bridge-of-peace.html
BeforeitsNews.com – http://beforeitsnews.com/story/767/127/Irish_Prisoner_Facing_Death.html
U.105 News – http://www.u105.com/LocalNews/Hunger-strike-over-Maghaberry-inmate/3dc377af-2cea-42e6-a366-c907c5fc3a65
Derry Journal 19th July – http://www.derryjournal.com/news/local/hunger_strike_at_free_derry_1_2878427
The Irish Observer – http://theirishobserver.blogspot.com/2011/07/brenda-lillis-maghaberry-jail-600-days.html
Workers Solidarity Movement – http://www.wsm.ie/c/release-brendan-lillis-now
Hub Pages iskra1916 – http://iskra1916.hubpages.com/hub/Brendan-Lillis-Irish-Prisoner-Being-Allowed-To-Die-in-Maghaberry-Gaol
Human Rights Movement Belgium – http://mensenrechten-droits-de-lhomme.skynetblogs.be/archive/2011/07/20/actions-for-brendan-lillis-hungerstrike-thursday-21st-july-2.html
Derry 32 csm – http://www.derry32csm.com/
IRISH REPUBLICAN NEWS – http://republican-news.org/current/news/2011/07/blanketman_on_the_threshold.html
Human Rights Group – http://humanrightsgroup.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/northern-ireland-brendan-lillis-dying-in-maghaberry-prison/
Derry Sinn Fein – http://www.derrysinnfein.ie/news/20196
The Pensive Quill aka Anthony McIntyre – http://thepensivequill.am/2011/07/brendan-lillis-press-release.html
Troops Out Movement – http://www.troopsoutmovement.com/campaigns.htm
Organised Rage Blog – http://www.organizedrage.com/2011/07/brendan-lillis-press-release.html
UTV – http://www.u.tv/News/Hunger-strike-over-Maghaberry-inmate/3dc377af-2cea-42e6-a366-c907c5fc3a65
Audio from Pilots Row meeting – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPlrXlHcyIo&feature=youtu.be
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Brendan Lillis, a 59 year old former Life-sentence political prisoner from West Belfast, in Ireland, is currently desperately ill in the medical wing of the notorious Maghaberry prison, in County Antrim. He suffers from the intensely painful and progressive disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis which due to other medical complications has left himunable to move from his bed for 14 months and his weight has dropped to a perilous 6 stones (38.1 Kilos !). Due to a series of serious infections and medication which has compromised his immune system, Mr Lillis has been unable to eat, sleep or hold down even liquids for a period close to a month and is constant agony. In short, his health has deteriorated to such an extent that his partner Roisin, who is his only contact with the outside world, fears that he will die in his prison bed!
Photo: Brendan Lillis, Maghaberry prison, Northern Ireland
Become member of the group Friends of Brendan Lillis:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Brussels, July 20th 2011
Dear Mister Ford,
If you would decide to show a little compassion for Brendan Lillis and Roisin Lynch, partner of Brendan, then I would strongly appreciate that, Mr. Ford. Don’t see them as your political ennemies but as human beings, please.
I will write you a final letter today asking you again to release Brendan and I call for Brendan’s release on purely humanitarian grounds so that he might die at home.
Do not wait too long with your decision, Mr. Ford.
I heard that you want to organize now a new meeting ‘to discuss the medical condition’ of Brendan. I don’t think that it would be a good idea. It will be too late for Brendan and it would be just terrible for Roisin. It will also undermine the credibility of the representatives of the DUP, Sinn Féin, the Alliance Party, the Green Party and the Progressive Unionist Party who supported you to become Northern Ireland’s first Justice Minister in 38 years.
Jan Boeykens
Belgium
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Brendan Lillis, a 59 year old former Life-sentence political prisoner from West Belfast, in Ireland, is currently desperately ill in the medical wing of the notorious Maghaberry prison, in County Antrim. He suffers from the intensely painful and progressive disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis which due to other medical complications has left himunable to move from his bed for 14 months and his weight has dropped to a perilous 6 stones (38.1 Kilos !). Due to a series of serious infections and medication which has compromised his immune system, Mr Lillis has been unable to eat, sleep or hold down even liquids for a period close to a month and is constant agony. In short, his health has deteriorated to such an extent that his partner Roisin, who is his only contact with the outside world, fears that he will die in his prison bed!
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Links:BBC interview with Brendan Lillis’ partner Roisin Lynch (18.7.2011):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_foyle#freshSignin=trueor click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b012m7nh
Then go forward to 1:05:05 – 7 days left to listen again
On 14-7-11 Roisin Lynch, partner of Brendan Lillis, spoke at a meeting in Pilot’s Row Derry.
Release Brendan Lillis – YouTube – http://youtu.be/xPlrXlHcyIo
Sign the petition:
www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Become member of the group Friends of Brendan Lillis:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Photo: Brendan Lillis, dying in Maghaberry prison
In Belgium the Minister of Justice accepted, what is called, the ‘release on conditions’ of political prisoners who were very sick or dying.
Justice Minister Ford of Northern Ireland, can do the same in the case of Brendan Lillis, if he wants. But it is a pure political case for him. He is afraid that the release of Brendan, will be seen as a victory by ‘a small number of prisoners and their allies outside the prisons’.
On 7 May 2010, speaking of an incident that took place in Roe House at Maghaberry Prison he said: “This is the latest in a series of actions by a small number of prisoners, designed to form the impression that they are being mistreated. Just as their allies outside the prisons are trying to take Northern Ireland backwards by their campaign of violence, these prisoners are trying to take prisons backwards. They seem determined to create conditions which they will then complain about, but they will have no-one to blame but themselves.”
Minister Ford is also afraid for an investigation to the prison system in Northern Ireland. During the latest months, there were 5 deaths in the Maghaberry prison in Northern Ireland. He can not say, as was the case in 2010, that this is ‘the latest in a series of actions by a small number of prisoners, designed to form the impression that they are being mistreated.’ Because nobody will believe that.
Ford thinks as a real politician who wants to survive as a politician and who is not able anymore to think in a human way.
He has apparently chosen for his own political position. That is why Brendan has to die.
http://www.dojni.gov.uk/ford_condemns_dissident_action_at_maghaberry
Photo: Justice Minister David Ford, responsible for the prison policy in Northern Ireland
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Brendan Lillis, a 59 year old former Life-sentence political prisoner from West Belfast, in Ireland, is currently desperately ill in the medical wing of the notorious Maghaberry prison, in County Antrim. He suffers from the intensely painful and progressive disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis which due to other medical complications has left himunable to move from his bed for 14 months and his weight has dropped to a perilous 6 stones (38.1 Kilos !). Due to a series of serious infections and medication which has compromised his immune system, Mr Lillis has been unable to eat, sleep or hold down even liquids for a period close to a month and is constant agony. In short, his health has deteriorated to such an extent that his partner Roisin, who is his only contact with the outside world, fears that he will die in his prison bed!
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Links:
BBC interview with Brendan Lillis’ partner Roisin Lynch (18.7.2011):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_foyle#freshSignin=true or
Click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b012m7nh
Then go forward to 1:05:05 - 7 days left to listen again
—
Friends of Brendan Lillis:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Sign the petition:
www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Friday, 7 May 2010
Ford condemns dissident action at Maghaberry
Speaking of the incident that took place in Roe House at Maghaberry Prison he said: “This is the latest in a series of actions by a small number of prisoners, designed to form the impression that they are being mistreated. Just as their allies outside the prisons are trying to take Northern Ireland backwards by their campaign of violence, these prisoners are trying to take prisons backwards. They seem determined to create conditions which they will then complain about, but they will have no-one to blame but themselves.”
The police are now investigating and criminal charges may ensue against the prisoners involved.
Brendan Lillis, a 59 year old former Life-sentence political prisoner from West Belfast, in Ireland, is currently desperately ill in the medical wing of the notorious Maghaberry prison, in County Antrim. He suffers from the intensely painful and progressive disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis which due to other medical complications has left himunable to move from his bed for 14 months and his weight has dropped to a perilous 6 stones (38.1 Kilos !). Due to a series of serious infections and medication which has compromised his immune system, Mr Lillis has been unable to eat, sleep or hold down even liquids for a period close to a month and is constant agony. In short, his health has deteriorated to such an extent that his partner Roisin, who is his only contact with the outside world, fears that he will die in his prison bed!
During the latest months, there were 5 deaths in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland.
Friends of Brendan Lillis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Release of Brendan Lillis: BBC Radio
July 18, 2011
On BBC Radio Foyle Derry today, ex Mayor Colm Eastwood has shortly presented the case for the Release of Brendan Lillis.
Brendan Lillis, a 59 year old former Life-sentence political prisoner from West Belfast, in Ireland, is currently desperately ill in the medical wing of the notorious Maghaberry prison, in County Antrim. He suffers from the intensely painful and progressive disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis which due to other medical complications has left himunable to move from his bed for 14 months and his weight has dropped to a perilous 6 stones (38.1 Kilos !). Due to a series of serious infections and medication which has compromised his immune system, Mr Lillis has been unable to eat, sleep or hold down even liquids for a period close to a month and is constant agony. In short, his health has deteriorated to such an extent that his partner Roisin, who is his only contact with the outside world, fears that he will die in his prison bed!
Justice Minister David Ford who is politically responsible for the recent deaths in the Maghaberry prison in Northern Ireland, decided that the hearing with the commissioners planned for tommorow in the Maghaberry prison, will be only a ‘preliminary hearing to determine the date for a hearing’. It is clear that he is just waiting for Brendan’s death.
There was not yet any reaction of Sinn Féin that called some days ago for the ‘immediate release of Brendan Lillis’.
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Links to the BBC interview with Brendan Lillis’ partner Roisin Lynch:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/bbc_radio_foyle#freshSignin=true
or
Click on http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/console/b012m7nh
Then go forward to 1:05:05 - 7 days left to listen again
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Friends of Brendan Lillis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis…
Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Part of yesterdays protest in Derry City center
Liam Crossan to the group album of Friends of Brendan Lillis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Prisons of shame in Northern Ireland: Kevin Murray
July 17, 2011
The Irish Republican Kevin Murray died in 2001, a few short weeks after finally being released from Portlaoise prison for the emergency hospital care which had been requested by himself, his family, and his fellow prisoners for several months prior to his death.
More information about the death of Kevin Murray:
http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/POWs/kmurray.htm
Brendan Lillis, a 59 year old former Life-sentence political prisoner from West Belfast, in Ireland, is currently desperately ill in the medical wing of the notorious Maghaberry prison, in County Antrim. He suffers from the intensely painful and progressive disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis which due to other medical complications has left himunable to move from his bed for 14 months and his weight has dropped to a perilous 6 stones (38.1 Kilos !). Due to a series of serious infections and medication which has compromised his immune system, Mr Lillis has been unable to eat, sleep or hold down even liquids for a period close to a month and is constant agony. In short, his health has deteriorated to such an extent that his partner Roisin, who is his only contact with the outside world, fears that he will die in his prison bed!
It is not the first time that the British government which seems still to govern Northern Ireland, let suffer a political prisoner until his death in a Northern Irish prison. This sadistic behavior that affects the whole Irish community, is part of the political repression and revenge of the British government.
In 2001, Kevin Murray died a few short weeks after finally being released from Portlaoise prison for the emergency hospital care which had been requested by himself, his family, and his fellow prisoners for several months prior to his death.
Kevin Murray (48) had been serving a 12 year sentence at Portlaoise Prison, Ireland; when early in 2001 he began to complain of severe headaches and dizziness. Repeated visits to the prison doctor did not alleviate his increasingly severe headaches, or lead to proper medical attention to his very rapidly deteriorating physical health.
In mid-September of 2001, after a great deal of protest by fellow POWs and family and friends outside of the prison, Kevin was finally moved to an outside hospital to receive desperately needed medical attention for what was found at that late stage to be a massive brain tumor. By this time, however, his condition had become inoperable; and he was transferred almost immediately from Beaumont Hospital to a hospice care facility near his family in Dundalk. Kevin was administered last rights in early October after suffering a stroke which left him blind. Several weeks later, on Tuesday, November 13th, Kevin lost his long struggle for life.
The Irish Freedom Committee demanded a full inquiry into why this criminal and inhuman neglect was encouraged and permitted by an institution of the Irish Free State, resulting in an easily preventable loss of life.
Please make your voice heard HERE:
Department of Justice
Michael McDowell, T.D.
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
72-76, St. Stephen’s Green,
Dublin 2,
Ireland.
Phone: (From US) 011 353 1 – 6028202
Fax: (From US) 011 353 1 – 6615461
E-mail: minister@justice.ie
Friends of Brendan Lillis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
More information about the death of Kevin Murray:
http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/POWs/kmurray.htm
http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/
The press is covering up these cases…
