Brussels, 8.7.2011
Pauline McCabe, Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
22nd Floor
Windsor House
Bedford Street
BT2 7FT
Ireland
Dear Madam,
Concerns: the deaths in Maghaberry prison, Brendan Lillis who is actually dying in the Maghaberry prison
May I remind you to my letter of 30.6.2011, please ?
In this letter I said that it is not normal that, while you are pretending to investigate the complaints from prisoners and the deaths in prison custody (from 1 September 2005 the remit of the Prisoner Ombudsman was even extended as required by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland), you say that you ‘can not comment and can not be helpful’ in the case of Brendan Lillis.
You say that ‘these matters are for Minister for Justice Ford and the prison authorities’ but that is not correct. The least you can do as Prisoners Ombudsman which investigates with a special team the many deaths and suicides in the prisons of Northern Ireland, is to make a report of a case as Brendan Lillis and to contact the Minister and the direction of the prison authorities.
As you know very well, Brendan is very sick and he risks to die in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland where there were 3 deaths during the past 3 months.
I learned that Brendan has no right to the visit of a physician from outside the prison. That’s in violation of the prison law and international laws.
Brendan is now more than 450 days in bed and he is more dead than alive. His situation is getting worse every day. He can hardly move and talk.
He would now be fed through a gut that is going directly to his stomach. That is a sadistic torture because they know that he is dying and it is again a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the national and international laws.
Given his health, he has the right to be released.
As I said, there have been many deaths in the Maghaberry prison without you were doing anything to prevent it, without you took your job seriously. You seem to work without human feeling, without thinking of the life of the prisoners and their husbands, their families and friends.
Remember that you are a prisoner ombudsman. So, it is your work to DO something for prisoners.
You think that, by refering to the Minister of Justice and the direction of the prison authorities, you can avoid your responsibility. But it will not help you.
If you do not help a very sick prisoner by making a report and contacting the Minister and the prison authorities, you can be prosecuted as he dies.
Yours sincerely,
Jan Boeykens
President of Werkgroep Morkhoven
Belgium
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Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Friends of Brendan Lillis:
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_182248348494841#!/home.php?sk =group_132734503459781
Pauline McCabe, Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, who investigates deaths in Prison Service ‘cannot be helpful’ in the case of Brendan Lillis who is dying in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland…
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RTE News Ireland, 29 March 2011 – The PSNI has begun a criminal investigation after the Northern Ireland Prisoner Ombudsman said a prison officer planted a note in the cell of a dissident republican suspect.
Probe into Maghaberry prison cell note
The PSNI has begun a criminal investigation after the Northern Ireland Prisoner Ombudsman said a prison officer planted a note in the cell of a dissident republican suspect.
The Prison Service of Northern Ireland says a member of staff has been suspended following the report by the ombudsman.
In a statement, the Prison Service said the prison officer was suspended in accordance with its code of discipline.
‘We have launched a disciplinary investigation into this matter which has been adjourned pending the outcome of the police inquiry.’
The note is believed to have contained personal details about the then Governor of Maghaberry Prison, Steve Rodford.
Mr Rodford resigned in December 2009 because of fears he faced a security threat.
Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe found that on the balance of probabilities, a member of prison staff planted the note in the cell of Brendan McConville, who is charged with the murder of PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll in Craigavon two years ago.
Mr McConville’s lawyer wrote to the Ombudsman alleging that his client had been set up by prison staff opposed to planned reforms within the prison.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0329/psni.html
Photo: Brendan Lillis who is now more then 450 days in bed in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland. He has lost half of his body weight and is too weak to move, yet Maghaberry prison refuses to provide IV nourishment to him. He risks to die one of the coming days.
Friends of Brendan Lillis
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_182248348494841#!/home.php?sk
=group_132734503459781
Write to Brendan:
Brendan Lillis, Maghaberry Gaol, Prison Hospital, Upper Ballinderry Road, Lisburn Co. Antrim, North of Ireland BT 28 2PT.
Brussels, 30.6.2011
Pauline McCabe, Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
Dear Madam,
Concerns: the deaths in Maghaberry prison, Brendan Lillis actually dying in the Maghaberry prison
Thanks for your reply.
It is very strange that, while you are pretending to investigate the complaints from prisoners and the deaths in prison custody (from 1 September 2005 the remit of the Prisoner Ombudsman was even extended as required by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland), you ‘can not comment and can not be helpful’ in the case of Brendan Lillis who is very sick and is dying now in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland where there were 3 deaths during the past 3 months.
You say that these matters are for Minister for Justice Ford and the prison authorities.
Many people wrote to Minister Ford and the prison authorities but they didn’t receive an answer.
Have they to wait until they can go to the funeral of Brendan ?
Don’t forget that you are an prisoner ombudsman. So, it is your work to DO something for prisoners.
Remember also that if you do not help a sick prisoner who risks to die, you can be prosecuted as this prisoner dies.
Yours sincerely,
Jan Boeykens
President of Werkgroep Morkhoven
Belgium
–
Friends of Brendan Lillis
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_182248348494841#!/home.php?sk
=group_132734503459781
Photo: Pauline McCabe and her team
Pauline McCabe, Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland: ‘We investigate the complaints from prisoners and the deaths in prisons but we cannot be helpful’
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PA/Prisoner. Ombudsman@prisonerombudsman.x.gsi.gov.uk
To: werkgroepmorkhoven@gmail.com
date: 28 juni 2011
Subject: RE: Prisoner Ombudsman Enquiry Form
Dear Jan
Thank you for your email in relation to Mr Brendan Lillis.
While we are aware of Mr Lillis’ situation, the Prisoner Ombudsman’s
remit extends to the investigation of complaints from prisoners and the investigation of deaths in prison custody.
We are not in a position, therefore, to comment on his continued detention. These matters are for the Minister for Justice and prison authorities.
I am sorry we cannot be more helpful.
Yours sincerely
Prisoner Ombudsman’s Office
22nd Floor, Windsor House
Bedford Street
Belfast BT2 7FT
Brussels, 29.6.2011
Pauline McCabe, Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
Dear Madam,
I read that with effect from 1 September 2005 the remit of the Prisoner Ombudsman was extended as required by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to investigate deaths in Prison Service Custody.
There were now 3 deaths on 3 months, in the Maghaberry prison in Northern Ireland and Brendan Lillis who is very sick and lies during more than 450 days in bed, is dying in this prison.
He needs urgent help from you.
Jan Boeykens
Belgium
President of Werkgroep Morkhoven
Friends of Brendan Lillis
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_132734503459781
http://www.niprisonerombudsman.gov.uk/contact.html
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Your message has been sent!
Rt Hon Baroness Warsi
Email: psbaronesswarsi@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk
Dear Madam,
Concers: Gerard McManus, prisoner in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland
I am working during several years with princess Jacqueline de Croÿ, member of the direction board of our association, about human rights in prisons and hospitals and I want to protest against the human rights violations in the Maghaberry prison in Northern Ireland where people are isolated and tortured.
In three months time, there were 3 deaths in this prison.
The family of prisoner Gerard McManus had a scheduled visit which was to take place at 2.45pm on Wednesday 23rd June.
Following a prolonged period of waiting and with other visits scheduled for the same time already taking place, Gerards elderly father asking as to his son’s non appearance, was promptly told to sit down, then informed that Gerard would be there shortly.
The family remained seated as other visits ended and at 4pm Gerard was eventually brought to the visiting area.
At approximately 4.35pm, a Maghaberry screw, who appeared to be intoxicated ended the visit.
Gerard’s father remonstrated with him, stating that they had driven some 2 and a half hours to get there, been held in the visiting area for another 1 and a quarter hours and his scheduled visit was being cut short without reason.
The screw became verbally abusive to both the prisoner and his family and stated that he wished there were still soldiers like the ‘Shankill butchers’ to take care of people like them.
The riot squad was then called to remove the family from the visiting area and the prisoner back to his cell.
At this stage the guard who seemed drunken, was called away by his colleagues.
Gerard’s elderly father requested to see the Governor to register an official complaint about the sectarian abuse received and the fact that visits were being overseen by drunken sectarian guards.
A woman who claimed to be an Assistant Governor came down to meet him and immediately informed him that she was not interested in hearing his complaints and that they were to leave the gaol immediately.
I am waiting your answer.
Kindly regards,
Jan Boeykens, Faiderstraat 10, 1060 Brussels, Belgium
President Morkhoven Group
Motion relating to Maghaberry prisoners successfully passed in Newry & Mourne Council
I’m just back from the Newry & Mourne Council monthly meeting. I raised the prisoners plight highlighting the fact that the previous Council had agreed to send a delegation to investigate the prisoners concerns but postponed it when the August 12th agreement 2010 was passed. I proposed a motion that, in the light of the continued strip searching of prisoners it is vital that a Council delegation visit the prisoners as a matter of urgency. The motion was passed without objection.
Cllr. Davy Hyland
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_132734503459781&ref=ts
Latest News about Brendan Lillis.
Brendan remains in the prison hospital at Maghaberry Gaol where he suffers from a chronic medial condition called ankylosing spondylitis, which cause his spine to fuse. At present, he is confined to bed and his condition has taken a turn for the worst. Brendan is 84 pound at the min and his rapidly deteriorating health is causing huge concern to his family and friends. His morphine has been increased to 15mg after a nurse hurt him trying to move him in the bed. They have said the end of july to facilitate the psychologist coming over from England. And we have been told they still havnt found anywhere to house this meeting yet. If he stays in these conditions, Brendan will die in prison.
What they are doing to Brendan is against their own written policy. In keeping with the Northern Ireland Prison Service Corporate and Business Plan 2008/11, it is stated that prisoners’ access to health services must be appropriate to their needs and equivalent to those services available to the public. This is off the NI Prison Administration website. They are not honoring their rules.
The minister of justice is aware of the situation but he thinks there is no urgent need. If Brendan dies, he will be held personally responsible.
The high security Maghaberry prison in Co Antrim has been ranked as one of the worst performing in the UK.
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_132734503459781&ref=ts
Not long back from Maghaberry, god it’s a grim place. I cant even begin to imagine what the prisoners in there have to go through. Brutalised and beaten daily, forced strip searches, forced to pour their urine and bodily wastes through their cell doors, deprived of natural light and fresh air. Today they were given a much need morale boost. 500 people marched from the visitor car park to the main prison gates. People carried flags, banners and placards in support of the POWs. Whistles, air horns and fireworks were let off to make as much noise as possible so the POWs could hear us. We then went silent as we heard the POWs responding by banging their cell doors, walls and chanting. Pol Mac Adaim sang a few songs for the POWs. Local independent republican Cllr Davy Hyland was the main speaker and spoke very well, drawing comparisons to todays situation and the situation 30 years ago. We then marched down the side of Roe House chanting, banging, whistling etc. On the other side of the fence were the loyalist screws in riot gear with guard dogs, the same bigots who are torturing our POWs. We then made our way back to the car park and a cavalcade of over 60 cars drove up to the main gates sounding their horns. After the protest we were met with a massive “security operation” just a few hundred yards down the road from Maghaberry. Dozens of heavily armed members of the RUC/PSNI and numerous armoured land rovers stopped and searched cars and mini buses that were leaving the protest. All in all it was a great event that generated some much needed publicity and awareness to the plight endured by our POWs while at the same time giving the POWs a much needed boost. This is only the start! VICTORY TO THE POWs
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Thirty-eight Republican Prisoners currently imprisoned in Maghaberry Gaol. “Controlled movement” is imposed on Republican landings with only three prisoners permitted out of their cells on the landing at any one time with each prisoner accompanied by two prison officers. Free Association on landings completely removed. Legislation introduced by British government following the Good Friday Agreement removed the right of Republican prisoners to organise themselves on their own landings and removed the right of Republican prisoners to spend their time in prison constructively. Prisoners made to chose between daily exercise or education. Prisoners denied educational facilities to enable them to organise their own education. Easter lilies banned in the prison. Other Republican handicrafts confiscated and destroyed by prison officers. PSNI/RUC approval required before prisoners permitted on Republican landing. Republican prisoners’ parole entitlement has been reduced to half that of other prisoners. Denial of compassionate paroles for family and religious occasions. Parole for funerals of immediate family members often restricted to 6 hours or less. Constant use of strip searching to humiliate prisoners contrary to international law. One prisoner received 31 strip searches and 1,135 rub down searches in a six month period. Prisoners locked in their cells for alternately 21/23 hours per day. Abuse of the sniffer dogs in an attempt to criminalise political prisoners. Families and prisoners are wrongly accused of smuggling drugs into the prison. Familes are forced to have closed family visits which take place through Perspex screen while prisoners returning from parole are placed in solitary confinement for 48 hours. Family visitors exposed to Loyalist visitors while visiting prison. Prisoners exposed to Loyalists going to and from legal visits. The power of the Governor to punish a prisoner by taking away remission was reintroduced specifically for Republican prisoners after it was banned by the European Court of Human Rights in 2002. Access to a doctor available only once a week. Interference with correspondence. Irish language and cultural items including handicrafts made relating to hunger strikes confiscated or destroyed by prison officers.
Prisons of shame: Action Maghaberry Ireland
June 3, 2011
Maghaberry Protest Sunday 5th June.
Newly elected Newry and Mourne councillor Davy Hyland will be speaking at the protest on Sunday.
Pól McAdaim will also be playing a few tunes.
We plan to make it loud so everyone is encouraged to bring whistles, horns drums etc….let the POWs hear us outside supporting them.
The protest is planned for,
SUNDAY 5TH JUNE
Anyone who has room in their car is encouraged to go to these pick up points and give lifts.
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First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out – because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out – because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out for me.
(Martin Niemoller)
Free Brendan Lillis-Don’t Let Him Die in Maghaberry Gaol! http://hubpages.com/hub/Brendan-Lillis-Irish-Prisoner-Being-Allowed-To-Die-in-Maghaberry-Gaol
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