LIAM LYNCH/ARMAGH MARTYRS AND THE VOLUNTEER EDDIE DYNES

EASTER 2007, ADDRESS FROM REPUBLICAN POWs MAGHABERRY GAOL

A Chairde agus a camaradai

It is a great honour that I have the opportunity to address you today on this the 91^{st anniversary of the historic Easter rebellion. We the Republican POWs send revolutionary and Easter greetings to all true and faithful republicans at home and abroad and to those of you who have gathered here today at the graves and monuments of Ireland’s patriot dead.}

You have remained true and faithful to the All-Ireland Republic envisaged by Tone and proclaimed by Pearse on the steps of the GPO in Dublin 1916. Since that very day a vast amount of ground has been covered, a lot of sacrifices have been made and a lot of men, women and children have gone to their graves, all in the name of Irish republicanism. It grieves me to say that in recent years these very graves have been desecrated by the actions of our former comrades in the provisionals, none more sorely that their recent actions of recognizing, accepting and backing the british paramilitary force, the RUC.

They think that by a name change and a uniform change that they can then tell us that this is not the same force, the same force that sent so many of our people to the prisons and to the graveyards, that same force which has and always will work hand in hand with the loyalist death squads. They have told us that by signing up to this anti-republican rag-bag that they can make the so-called police more accountable to all, well we say yhet again the Provos are wrong, a leopard never changes its spots. We will recognize no police force other than that established by the 32 county all-Ireland republic. The recruitment drive is in full swing for the new Broy Harriers, to help bolster stormont home of the british occupiers and the power base of the british/loyalist domination of the 6 north eastern counties of our country. Republicans were right in 1986 and their concerns at that time are now statements of unfolding facts.

Those of us imprisoned at home and abroad have been so, for our idealogical beliefs. Our belief in the Proclamation of 1916 and all that it entails is steadfast and will remain so. Here in Magaberry Gaol we are denied the right to political status and whereas in 1972 and 1976 it was the british who refused it, we now have the british and their ally’s in the Provisionals denying to us something for which 10 brave Irishmen laid down their lives for. The Stormont agreement seeks to criminalise us, this they will NEVER succeed in doing. From Thomas Ashe in 1917 to Bobby Sands in 1981 they have tried and failed. We are political POWs and that we will remain. We want most of all for the british to set a date for disengagement from our country, we will never accept the continuation of the occupation of our country and we remain committed to our objectives, whilst the brits remain in Ireland.

We send solidarity greetings to the leadership of Oglaigh na hEireann and we wish to state that we have full faith in our leadership and comrades in arms to continue the struggle for Irish freedom. To our comrades in Portlaoise we also send solidarity greetings and thanks for your acts of solidarity during our present phase of prison protest.

We pay tribute to all of you who have sent us letters and cards of support, they are a source of strength and great encouragement to us. We say a special thanks to RPAG and CABHAIR for all their great support and aid.

Finally last but by no means least we salute and congratulate all candidates who took a stand in the recent elections on an abstentionist/political status platform. We pay tribute to all who campaigned for the candidates and to those who voted for them. The republican voice must be heard now and in the future.

VICTORY TO CIRA

VICTORY TO THE POWS

AN PHOBLACT ABU

O/C Republican Pows

Maghaberry Gaol

Easter 2007

FRIENDS and comrades, it is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to address you today on the 90th anniversary of the Easter rebellion.  An historic occasion in which a group of courageous Republicans proclaimed, through force of arms, the right of independence and nationhood for the Irish people.

This year also has more historical significance, in that it is the 30th anniversary of the commencement of the blanket protest in Long Kesh and it is the 25th anniversary of the heroic hunger strike which led to 10 brave and honourable men laying down their lives in the hell holes of Long Kesh, rather than allow the British to criminalise the struggle for Irish freedom.

All of those who participated in these historic events shared a common goal, as Óglaigh, they were committed to resisting British rule and ultimately bringing it to an end.  That ultimate objective has not yet being achieved but be assured that we the Republican POWs remain resolute in our objectives.

We as POWs know only too well the lengths to which the British will go to try to break us and criminalize us.  Here in Maghaberry we and our visitors are continually harassed by a sectarian workforce, we endure lockups of 22-hour and 18-hour durations, we are deprived of freedom of association, handicrafts, education and we endure many other petty restrictions.  All of this is designed to break our spirit, but this they will never do!

We remember the courage and discipline of the Blanketmen and the hunger-strikers of 1980 and 1981 and we make it clear today to the British, that if they seek to continue on this path of oppression we will engage in much more direct and effective protest.  Our leadership are aware of our intentions and let nobody be in any doubt, we will never allow the Brits to criminalise us.

Finally I send greetings to our imprisoned comrades in Portlaoise and to all throughout the world who are imprisoned for their resistance to the rule of an oppressor.  I also send greeting to our comrades in arms who continue to seek to keep alive resistance to the colonial rulers in the Six Occupied Counties.

Victory to the men and women of the CIRA. An Phoblacht abú

Stíophán Ó Dálaigh

OC, Republican Prisoners

MAGHABERRY GAIL

RPAG CONDEMNS SNIFFER DOG TORTURE

The Republican Prisoners’ Action Group views with deep concern the continuing abuse of the passive drugs ("sniffer") dog in Maghaberry Gaol. In light of the fact that no drugs have ever been discovered either amongst Republican prisoners or their visitors, it is clear that this measure is simply punitive in nature.

It has been brought to our attention that two Republican POWs have been denied open visits due to alleged "detections" by the dog. One of the prisoners has been refused visits every second week, whereas the other prisoner has been denied his last three visits – by different family members. The end result of this harassment is that he has not received a visit for over a month.

The RPAG believes that this amounts to nothing less than psychological torture of the POWs. We reiterate our call for the removal of the so-called "drugs" dog, and for the concession of the protesting prisoners’ five demands.

ENDS

STATEMENT FROM O/C REPUBLICAN POWS, MAGHABERRY.

ON August 9, the following statement was received from the O/C, Republican Prisoners, Maghaberry jail:

"On Thursday 10th August, Republican Prisoners of War held in Maghaberry Concentration Camp will hold a 48-hour fast. This is part of our ongoing protest for the restoration of Political Status and the implementation of our five demands. We will continue with our protest and in the coming weeks will step it up until the NIO and British authorities realise that we won't be beaten.

The disgraceful attitude of the POA and the prison governors in refusing to accept that their policy of criminalisation will be resisted and therefore will fail is second only to the belief held by some that Óglaigh na hÉireann can be disbanded.

Óglaigh na hÉireann is not a "patent" of any single political party. It is of the people for the people. As long as there is still British interference on Irish soil; as long as a pro-Imperialist state exists in the 26-Counties to do Britain's dirty work, there will always be those who will resist. Resistance is born out of oppression.

Those of us imprisoned in Ireland and abroad have been so because of our ideological beliefs. Our belief in the Proclamation of the Republic, declaring "the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland..." The belief that an alien government has no right to govern nor administer the affairs of the Irish people.

The oppressive nature of the regime imposed on Republican prisoners in this camp was bound to breed resistance. It is the unfortunate belief of the British authorities that today's Republican prisoners can be criminalised and brutalised unimpeded. This is a misconception. Although we may be small in numbers, we can guarantee that we will resist at all costs.

The parallels that exist in today's campaign and that which existed in 1976-1981 are striking, although I won't pretend to know exactly what the men and women went though then. I do know that we are fighting against the same policy and we are faced with the same 'monsters'.

In 1976-1981, those courageous men and women in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh and Armagh were fighting against a more visible form of criminalisation - that of a prison uniform and being forced to work for the system. Of course those weren't the only problems.

In today's prison camps, we are fighting against a different more invisible form of criminalisation. In this establishment we don't have the convict garb, nor are we forced to work. In comparison to 1976-1981 we are more comfortably off. But criminalisation whether visible or invisible must be resisted. The fact that this establishment is intent on forcing us to accept policies of controlled movement, no free association for Republican prisoners, and forcing our families to do without visits for weeks on end. The fact that we are locked in cells for up to 22 hours, the fact that we are denied all handicraft facilities and limited education is all that is available. Education which clashes with association - as a result one or the other must be forfeited. This is an exact throwback to the years 1976-1981.

Why shouldn't we be given the freedom to move freely on our own landings during periods of unlock? Why should we forfeit education for a period of exercise? Why shouldn't we be allowed to clear our own wings? Why shouldn't we expect to see our families on a weekly basis? Why shouldn't we be allowed to make handicrafts or souvenirs?

Why shouldn't we? All of the above are widely available to ordinary prisoners. And indeed they would be available to ourselves if we conformed. This we won't do. We will not renounce our principles nor will we allow ourselves to be bribed by a corrupt, sectarian prison establishment.

Our demands, which are widely available to ordinary prisoners proves that we are not being elitist. We are not asking to be treated differently, but to be treated with dignity and respect.

We have never asked for the keys of the wing nor would we. We do not expect control of the landings nor do we expect the screws to leave their positions.

We have been totally reasonable in our repeated requests to be treated equally and fairly. The fact that the British have ignored our pleas should be challenged by all right thinking people in Ireland and abroad.

The protest which has been forced upon us by British intransigence could be sorted out at the stroke of a pen, if only these people came to realise that we are only asking for what is already available.

We hereby ask that all politicians, north and south; all clergymen and women; the people of Ireland and abroad, and all those who have suffered years of degradation at the hands of the British 'monsters' support us by supporting our demands. We ask you to write letters of support, denouncing the current policies in newspapers and to British politicians.

We ask you to support those who are defenceless. 

O/C, CIRA POWs
Maghaberry Concentration Camp, Occupied Six Counties

REPUBLICAN PRISONERS ACTION GROUP

The organizers of today’s Hunger Strike Commemoration at Casement Park today snubbed the prisoners currently in Maghaberry Gaol and their families.

RPAG had approached the organizing committee earlier this week with a statement setting out the conditions of Republican prisoners in Maghaberry. The organizers confirmed this morning that the statement could be read, but refused to let the mother of the prisoner read it herself. Despite the promises when it came to the event this afternoon no statement was read out.

RPAG is therefore asking the media to publish the statement.

Geraldine Taylor of Republican Sinn Fein said:

"The prisoners and the families are outraged at how they have been treated. The families have shown solidarity with the families of the Hunger Strikers and believe that they have much in common. However the sacrifice of today’s prisoners’ and their families has been virtually ignored by those organizing this event."

For further details please contact 028 90319004 or 07921973328

STATEMENT FROM REPUBLICAN PRISONERS, MAGHABERRY GAOL

On 13^{th July 1981 a young boy 8 years of age was hoisted onto his uncle’s shoulders. He was given a hammer and a black flag. The young boy then hung the flag on the side of the coal-shed.}

Around him he saw grown men openly crying, women talking and going from door to door. The people looked tired, sorrowful and a gloominess hung in the air like a thick dense fog. The answers to the boy’s questions didn’t really register. "A young man from the locality had died on hunger strike", he was told. He had seen old people die before and there were no black flags. "Why now?", he wondered. Little did he realise then, that was the beginning of his introduction to Irish politics and Irish history.

Some years later in his teenage years, the young man began reading books on Irish history and came to realise the significance and the symbolism of the black flag which he had hung years before. He read about the struggle for political status in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh, the blanket protest, the no-wash protest and eventually the Hunger Strike which culminated in the deaths of 10 young volunteers. He couldn’t believe the intransigence of the British as they allowed these young men died.

Now as a grown man he continues reading and believes strongly in the Republican ideology which was held dearly by those who died to achieve humane conditions for hundreds of Republican prisoners. Are conditions today better because of the sacrifices of these men?

The young lad who 25 years ago raised a black flag to his coal-shed now lies in a British prison camp. He too suffers the same degrading treatment. He and his comrades suffer strip searches designed to humiliate and degrade as well as 23 hour lock ups in an 8 x 12 tomb. They suffer sectarian abuse from loyalist staff working the landings. They are forced to eat all their meals in their cells like caged animals. They are denied any association with each other on the landing and are only permitted to leave their cells in 2s or 3s, accompanied by at least twice the number of prison officers. Families are denied visits for weeks at a time due to the suspicious reaction of the prison "drugs dog" despite the fact there has not been a single find of drugs on a Republican prisoner or visitor.

Rights that are granted to the rest of the prison population are denied to Republican prisoners; education, exercise, social inter-action – basic human rights. They are threatened with the loss of remission, or of being transported to England if they do not conform. But they will not conform to a regime that denies them the right to be treated with dignity and humanity. They cannot conform with institutional discrimination brought about to criminalise the Irish struggle.

That same young man and his comrades are now on protest in Maghaberry "concentration camp". This is a protest against criminalisation, a protest for Political Status. They too have issued 5 demands. Freedom of Association, Freedom of Movement, Full Time Education, Separate Visiting Facility and the right to Organise their wings. They remain adamant in the belief that theirs is a just struggle. They are prepared to do whatever is necessary to achieve their objectives.

They are not, as the prison authorities are trying to portray, asking for the keys to their wing. They do not expect control of the landings. Their demands have been reasonable, but have been ignored.

That young man now experiences the intransigence for himself and asks you the people of Ireland to support the prisoners and their demands, to do all in your power to challenge this injustice, to write letters of support to your politicians, to the press and to the authorities, to show your numbers on the streets in the protests and in the pickets that are being organised across the country.

Go raibh maith agaibh

OC Republican Prisoners Maghaberry Gaol

RPAG STAGE VERY SUCCESSFUL RALLY IN LURGAN

In spite of a large RUC presence a very large crowd turned out to support the five demands of the Republican POWs currently on protest in Maghaberry Gaol. The protest – organised by the Republican Prisoners’ Action Group (RPAG) – took place in the Edward Street area of Lurgan, County Armagh, at 2p.m. on Saturday, 19^th August. The weekend also marks the 25^th anniversary of the death of Mickey Devine on Hunger Strike in 1981.

A white-line picket took place on Edward Street, followed by a rally nearby. A former Independent Councillor for Fermanagh, Tony McPhillips, chaired the proceedings. He introduced Mrs. McKenna – the mother of one of the protesting prisoners from the Lurgan area – who read a statement on behalf of the POWs. Mr. McPhillips then introduced lifelong Republican Des Long from Limerick, who was the main speaker for the occasion.

Mr. Long branded the Provos "liars and hypocrites" for signing away political status under the terms of the Stormont Agreement of 1998, and seeking to criminalise the struggle for Irish freedom. He also emphasised the continuity of the prison struggle from 1981 to the present day, adding that, unfortunately, whilst English rule continues in Ireland there will continue to be prisoners. Political status remained a right and was never a privilege, said Mr. Long.

Tony McPhillips concluded by saying that "those who do not support the prisoners do not support Republicanism and they should be treated like the traitors that they are."

The proceedings closed with Brendan Magill of Lurgan singing the National Anthem, Amhrán na bhFiann.

The British colonial police harassed many of the protesters that had turned out for the event. A car was stopped by an unmarked RUC vehicle in the Church Place area of Lurgan shortly before the protest was due to begin, holding the driver for approximately 20 minutes and asking how concerned people knew him. A minibus returning from the parade was also stopped under the Road Traffic Order, with the occupants subsequently being questioned under Britain’s so-called "Terrorism Act". Backup units from the RUC’s DMSU (Divisional Mobile Support Unit) also arrived on the scene.

The RPAG will not be swayed by this harassment, however, and will continue to highlight the plight of the Republican POWs in Maghaberry Gaol.

The same struggle as the 1981 hunger strikes is now being waged in jails throughout the 32-Counties, a member of Republican Sinn Féin said today.

Limerick Republican Des Long said that the failed Stormont Agreement is responsible for the current plight of Republican prisoners who are being criminalised by the political Administrations in Dublin, Belfast and London.

Speaking at a Republican prisoners’ support rally in Lurgan, County Armagh, on Saturday 19t^h August, Mr. Long said that the current crisis in Maghaberry prison could easily be resolved by the granting of political status.

"It gives the lie to all those who say that there is no Republican resistance to British rule in Ireland," said Mr. Long.

"In every struggle for national liberation it is recognised that the actions of the resistance arise out of the political situation and in Ireland it is no different.

"The sad fact is that ten men died on hunger strike to establish and enshrine the principle of political status and as a member of the National H-Block Committee at the time I have no hesitation in saying that today the same struggle is being waged by true Republicans who are incarcerated in jail.

"It is even more tragic for the families of the men who died on hunger strike to realise that their noble sacrifice was sold out during the negotiations for the failed Stormont Agreement – sold out by a discredited and disgraced Provisional leadership who embraced and emboldened British rule in Ireland.

"It gives me no pleasure to say this but in the eyes of the Provisional leadership; in the eyes of their political masters in London and Dublin, the men in prison today are regarded as criminals and they are being treated as criminals – however we as true Republicans must never tolerate this treatment and above all we must never accept that true Republican prisoners are criminals – they are resisting British rule in Ireland – and we are proud of them – because like us they know that the failed Stormont Agreement can never bring a real and lasting peace to Ireland.

"It is despicable that former comrades in the Provos are to the forefront of attempts to criminalise these men. It is even more disgusting that the Provos continue to condemn the continued resistance to British rule.

"Calling us ‘micro-groups without support’ may be pleasing their British masters, but the Provos cannot crush the age old aspiration to national self-determination. Just because they have sold out and taken the Queen’s Shilling does not end the struggle for Irish unity!

"The principled actions of the Republican prisoners are aimed at ensuring that they are not treated as criminals – and their demands are in line with the accepted status of political prisoners throughout the world. There are five demands and these five demands will be met – or else there will be a return to the dark days of the 1980’s when Republicans made the ultimate sacrifice in pursuit of political status:

RIGHT TO FREE ASSOCIATION

END TO CONTROLLED MOVEMENT

RIGHT TO FULL TIME EDUCATION

SEPARATE VISITING FACILITY

RIGHT TO ORGANISE THEIR OWN LANDINGS

The facts:

• 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 the British government following the Stormont 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 choose 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.

• RUC/PSNI approval required before prisoners permitted on Republican landing.

• Republican prisoners’ parole entitlement has been reduced to half that of other prisoners.

• Denial of compassionate parole for family and religious occasions. Parole for funerals of immediate family members often restricted to six 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 alternately for 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. Families 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.

POLITICAL STATUS IS A RIGHT NOT A PRIVILEGE.

ENDS