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…
Brendan Lillis: Don’t let him die !
July 16, 2011
- About 30 Aul dissidents standing in Shipquay St, L’derry protesting strip searches and for release of Brendan Lillis ( just found this on twitter )
- Radio, wbai: The telephone number for the UK Embassy in NY, per the radio show, is 212-745-0200. The moderator said to ask to talk to someone about Northern Ireland, and to not just talk to the person answering the phone. When you are connected, ask what is happening about the release of Brendan Lillis. Then, give them your number to call you back if they do not know.
- There was an action in Glasgow Free Brendan Lillis: Action in Glasgow
http://nieuwsnieuwsnieuws.wordpress.com/2011/07/16/free-brendan-lillis-action-in-glasgow/
- Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney , has called for the immediate release of Brendan Lillis, currently being held in Maghaberry Prison. He was speaking after meeting Brendan Lillis in Maghaberry Prison as part of a Sinn Féin delegation who met with the prisoners being held in Roe House, Maghaberry. http://www.derrysinnfein.ie/news/20159
- A short sample letter and a few contacts here: http://www.irishfreedomcommittee.net/POWs/BRENDAN_LILLIS.htm
- Brendan’s case and the FB group ‘Friends of Brendan’ were publicized on WPNA radio in Chicago during the Haggerty show.
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Photo: 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!
Friends of Brendan Lillis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Free Brendan Lillis – Don’t let him die in prison !
July 16, 2011
FREE BRENDAN LILLIS DON’T LET HIM DIE IN PRISON: SIGN THE PETITION
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!
Friends of Brendan Lillis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Some months ago, Nadezhda Banchik, member of Amnesty International USA, called for the release of Commander Arbi Zarmaev, a political prisoner who was very sick and was isolated, tortured and treated with neuroleptics in Bruges prison (Belgium).
Can she do the same for Brendan Lillis who is dying in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland ?
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! The doctor said her that he will live only 10 days now.
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Arbi Zarmaev: Letter of Mrs Nadezhda Banchik to Minister Stefaan De Clerck
San Jose, April 20, 2011
Being a member of Amnesty International USA, and in addition, being myself an emigrant from the former Soviet Union, I am completely devastated hearing about the plight of Mr. Arbi Zarmaev, a Chechen, an asylum seeker from Chechnya. I was entirely desperate learning that Mr. Zarmaev was arrested in Belgium and subjected to beating and torture via forcible deprivation of food and drinking water, shackling, and sleep deprivation.
Information about torturing of any prisoner in Belgium, the EU member country, renown for its adherence to human rights and law obedience, make me think that our entire world is moving towards a new Holocaust, since the Holocaust was made possible when Western world completely rejected any protection for a human life at all and for a certain ethnic group in particular. That time such a group were Jews. This time, it seems to me, the Chechens are made an ethnic group for trade-off deals with criminal Russian regime.
I am afraid not only for a Chechen young man who is “guilty” only of defending his homeland from marauders, murders and robbers known to the whole world as Russian mafia state. It seems that Belgium authorities secretly decided to make Arbi Zarmaev slowly dying behind grates just for secret deal with Russian criminals! I am also afraid of your country’s reputation as reliable and law-obedient, human-rights protected country belonging to the Western civilization, that just recently was considered moral leader of the whole world. No more humane place in this world? No more Geneva Convention for a tiny group that was unlucky to be designed international scapegoat in the epoch of international “anti-terrorism” war?! But who is a bigger terrorist in this case? A Chechen who was forced to take arms to defend his home or the second army in the world that bombed out his homeland to rubbles?! Do you know that Russia killed more than 250,000 Chechens, including 40,000 children? And how many people did Arbi Zarmaev really killed? Ask him, please.
I urge you Mr. Minister, to do everything you can to stop this embarrassing case for your country. I hope you can urge your subordinates to free Arbi Zarmaev because he is not a criminal. In the worst, he could be considered prisoner of the war. However, in this case he is eligible for Geneva Convention protection. Anyway, he is eligible for Geneva Convention protection as an asylum seeker from the armed conflict zone.
Sincerely and hopeful
Nadezhda Banchik, Amnesty International USA member
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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! The doctor said that Brendan will die over 10 days.
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The politicians…
Dear Ms F.,
Thank you for your further email. I have this morning spoken to the Northern Ireland Office who have assured me that they have contacted you directly today. I understand that jurisdiction over Mr Lillis’ case has been devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly and you will hearing from them directly regarding the situation. Please be assured that my office will continue to monitor the situation, and will of course keep you updated with any information we receive.
With best wishes,
Katie Katie Hartwill, Parliamentary Assistant to Chloe Smith MP
From my MPs office, still no acknowledgement from the home office. I recieved a “standard” we are looking into this from . Yvonne McIlroy Private Office Department of JusticeBlock BCastle Buildings Stormont Estate Belfast Owen Paterson advised that he has no jusidication since the devolution on power in 2010 and that David Ford is the person to contact. May be worth putting the pressure on him still though?
Brendan Lillis has about 10 days to live now
Brussels, 13 July 2011
Justice Minister David Ford
Department of Justice
Block B
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT4 3SG
southantrim@davidford.org
Dear Sir,
During years and years, I am working about human rights, so well on a national as international level.
I am very shocked by the violations of human rights and the many deaths and suicides in the prisons of Northern Ireland.
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!
May I pray you to intervene in this inhuman and tragical case ?
Yours faithfully,
Jan Boeykens
Werkgroep Morkhoven
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Friends of Brendan Lillis: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Friends.Of.Brendan.Lillis?ref=ts
Sign the petition: www.petitionspot.com/petitions/releaseBrendylilli
Copy: michael@davidford.org,alliance@allianceparty.org, director@allianceparty.org,niall@davidford.org, john@davidford.org,
