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Release Brendan Lillis [See Mod Warning Post 415]

  • 19-07-2011 8:45pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭




    The above video is of a recent speech by his partner, Roisin.

    A basic summary; the man has been bedridden for over 600 days at this stage, he can't walk and can barely talk. He is down to five and a half stone. He is on a feeding tube also. His partner has been told by Doctors that he has only days to live. His condition is a form of severe arthritis which causes your spine to fuse, something to do with excess bone mass.

    He was first jailed for life in the 1970s for possession of explosives and weapons, he served 16 years in the H-Blocks and was a blanket man for a period. He was released on license in the early nineties. In 2009 he was brought up in court on attempted robbery charges, his license was revoked after his arrest and he was returned to jail. He was subsequently deemed too ill for trial. Hence he is in jail now for an act perpetrated in the 70s.

    The man is clearly no danger to society. In addition he is not receiving proper medical care in the prison hospital, for instance the infrequent visits by Doctors and physiotherapists are a major reason why his condition is so bad and he is nearing death.

    This man should be released on humanitarian grounds. The SDLP and Sinn Féin have also called for him to be released on humanitarian grounds.
    “Political arguments should be set aside in this case; our societal commitment to human rights should be our main concern. These rights should equally apply to prisoners.” - SDLP

    Its a disgrace that this man, someone who poses no danger whatsoever, a very ill man, too ill to stand for trial, has had his license revoked while loyalist leaders on license have not, and are free to orchestrate mass sectarian attacks on nationalist areas, like Short Strand in Belfast.

    In an attempt to highlight Brendan's plight his partner and a number of other people are planning a three day fast;

    The partner of a Maghaberry inmate is to take part in a three-day hunger strike, over the conditions in which Brendan Lillis - who suffers from arthritic condition ankylosing spondylitis - is being held.

    The 59-year-old has spent 600 days lying in a bed in Maghaberry's hospital.

    The west Belfast man was charged in connection with an attempted tiger robbery in 2009 but, earlier this year, the authorities said he was too ill to stand trial.

    However, because of a legal loophole, he is still in prison.



    In the 1970s, he served a 17-year sentence on explosives charges but - because his licence was revoked when he was re-arrested two years ago - he is esentially in prison now for a crime he committed in 1976.

    His partner, Roisin Allsopp, has been campaigning for his release.

    "The charges against my partner were shelved last February," she told UTV.

    "He is now coming to the end of his second year in jail. There are no charges against him at the minute.

    "He is not a danger to anybody. If they wanted their pound of flesh, I can tell you, they've got it."

    Roisin, along with former republican hunger strikers, will begin their protest on Thursday.

    A preliminary hearing is being held by the Parole Commissioners to decide if Lillis should be released.

    In a statement, the NI Prison Service said it - and its health care partner, the South Eastern Trust - had made "strenuous efforts to ensure Mr Lillis's full health care needs have been and are continuing to be met in a satisfactory manner".

    The statement continued: "Given the current circumstances, there are not sufficient and exceptional grounds to justify his release on compassionate grounds."

    The 3 day fast is starting at 12pm on Thursday the 21st at the site of the old Anderstown police station.

    David Ford and the British secretary of state need to intervene and set this man free. David Ford is a disgrace of a Justice minister. The prison service is a disgrace, as are the prisons themselves, and a significant portion of their staff.

    Why is he keeping this very ill man in jail for a decades old act?


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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Why is he keeping this very ill man in jail for a decades old act?

    Oh, I dunno.....maybe because he hasn't served his sentence yet ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    Oh, I dunno.....maybe because he hasn't served his sentence yet ?
    You must tell me your secrets Liam, how did you read all that, and watch an eight minute video in just 5 mins?

    Seriously Liam, you know better than your post implies when it comes to republicans prisoners, and indeed life sentences in general. As I said, he was released.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,949 ✭✭✭The Waltzing Consumer


    What happened to the victims of this attempted tiger kidnapping in 2009?

    Where is their thread op?

    Why should I care about any criminal who tries to kidnap families in order to rob banks/post offices?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    What happened to the victims of this attempted tiger kidnapping in 2009?

    Where is their thread op?

    Why should I care about any criminal who tries to kidnap families in order to rob banks/post offices?
    Brendan Lillis is innocent when it comes to the tiger kidnapping. He is in jail for something from the seventies.


    Perhaps if he is released, against all odds, he may recover sufficiently in order for him to appear in court in relation to that.

    And why should you care? A sense of humanity and decency.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,949 ✭✭✭The Waltzing Consumer


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Brendan Lillis is innocent when it comes to the tiger kidnapping. He is in jail for something from the seventies.


    Perhaps if he is released, against all odds, he may recover sufficiently in order for him to appear in court in relation to that.

    Yeah, he got his license revoked because of the charge and original sentence was reactivated. That's his own fault then.

    If this was not some "republican" but some other scumbag from inner city dublin who had his sentence reactivated, this thread would not exist, people would be unanimous in their acceptance of justice.

    So no words about the victims of this attempted tiger kidnapping? More interested in perpetrators of violent acts? What's the burden of proof or standards prosecution must meet to have a sentence reactivated? It is clearly legal or you would be saying it is illegal, so obviously they have some proof of wrongdoing or links to this tiger kidnapping. They cannot just reactivate a sentence for nothing.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,684 ✭✭✭JustinDee


    It must be comforting to some to know that criminal offences seem to have an expiry date.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Seriously Liam, you know better than your post implies when it comes to republicans prisoners, and indeed life sentences in general. As I said, he was released.

    Where did it say he was a republican prisoner ? I didn't see that anywhere in your post, and I was just commenting as I would on any criminal thug.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Yeah, he got his license revoked because of the charge and original sentence was reactivated. That's his own fault then.
    So, he is in jail because he was charged with something. Found guilty? No. How is that a fair precedent? Is everyone charged always guilty?
    If this was not some "republican" but some other scumbag from inner city dublin who had his sentence reactivated, this thread would not exist, people would be unanimous in their acceptance of justice.
    Not true. If I heard of a similar case with a very ill man in jail after having his license revoked over being charged with something then yes I would also make a thread over that.
    So no words about the victims of this attempted tiger kidnapping? More interested in perpetrators of violent acts? What's the burden of proof or standards prosecution must meet to have a sentence reactivated? It is clearly legal or you would be saying it is illegal, so obviously they have some proof of wrongdoing or links to this tiger kidnapping. They cannot just reactivate a sentence for nothing.
    The burden is the Secretary of State saying "put him back in jail". Thats it.

    The FACTS are that we have a very ill, near death man in jail.

    As he poses zero danger to society he should be released so his partner can be with him.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    Where did it say he was a republican prisoner ? I didn't see that anywhere in your post, and I was just commenting as I would on any criminal thug.
    Just as I thought, you didn't read what I wrote or listen to the video.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Just as I thought, you didn't read what I wrote or listen to the video.

    I read what you wrote alright. There was no mention whatsoever of "republican".

    Anyway, like I said, it's irrelevant to me and I only mentioned it because you made false claims in your second post.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    I read what you wrote alright. There was no mention whatsoever of "republican".

    Anyway, like I said, it's irrelevant to me and I only mentioned it because you made false claims in your second post.
    Liam, do you need to be spoon fed?

    I said he spent 16 years in the H-Blocks and was a blanket man. The UTV article says how former "republican hunger strikers" will be doing the three day fast.

    You should listen to the video too.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Liam, do you need to be spoon fed?

    I said he spent 16 years in the H-Blocks and was a blanket man. The UTV article says how former "republican hunger strikers" will be doing the three day fast.

    As I said, nothing in your post or the other articles said that the guy was a "republican".

    The fact that you posted demanding his release would have made me suspicious, since I haven't seen any thread by you defending / excusing anyone else's right-to-freedom-despite-their-crimes, but I had no proof.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    As I said, nothing in your post or the other articles said that the guy was a "republican".

    The fact that you posted demanding his release would have made me suspicious, since I haven't seen any thread by you defending / excusing anyone else's right-to-freedom-despite-their-crimes, but I had no proof.
    So yes, you do need to be spoon fed. If you had have listened to the video, or even just read the bit of writing in the video, it would have been obvious, even if what was written below was not enough for you to work out the massive mystery of who this former blanket man, imprisoned in the 70s for having weapons, with republican hunger striker friends was.


    :rolleyes::rolleyes:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    So yes, you do need to be spoon fed. If you had have listened to the video, or even just read the bit of writing in the video, it would have been obvious, even if what was written below was not enough for you to work out the massive mystery of who this former blanket man, imprisoned in the 70s for having weapons, with republican hunger striker friends was.


    :rolleyes::rolleyes:

    As I said, I don't care who he is. If I had known that he was a "republican" then you would have claimed I was showing anti-republican bias.

    The fact that I don't know and don't care means that I am treating all criminals with the same approach....they did the crime so they can damn well do the time.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    As I said, I don't care who he is. If I had known that he was a "republican" then you would have claimed I was showing anti-republican bias.

    The fact that I don't know and don't care means that I am treating all criminals with the same approach....they did the crime so they can damn well do the time.
    He did... Hence why he was released back in the early nineties.

    Lets pretend this is your garden variety "thug". Would you want this person, who is basically paralyzed, cant talk, is dangerously underweight, who doctors say only has days to live, to be released to be with his partner? Why keep him in jail to die?

    Perhaps in future Liam you could read and take in all the material in the OP so we can have an informed discussion? Not too much to ask I hope.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    He did... Hence why he was released back in the early nineties.

    ....on condition he didn't re-offend, right ?
    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Lets pretend this is your garden variety "thug".

    No pretence required.
    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Would you want this person, who is basically paralyzed, cant talk, is dangerously underweight, who doctors say only has days to live, to be released to be with his partner? Why keep him in jail to die?

    Because he made his choices.
    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Perhaps in future Liam you could read and take in all the material in the OP so we can have an informed discussion? Not too much to ask I hope.

    Maybe if "all the material" wasn't blatant propaganda I would. The last time I asked for 100% facts in relation to who someone was, you went off on a biased pathos tangent of which the Sindo would have been proud.

    Maybe if all your posts weren't demanding subversion of justice and release and better terms for thugs (although to be fair, you don't demand it for all thugs, just 50% of them).

    Maybe if you were more interested in demanding stuff for people who hadn't tried to murder and maim Irish people ?

    What health would those people be in if he'd had his way ?

    Given his age and condition, I wonder if he's about the same age and health as those involved in Bloody Sunday ? Would you start a thread about them ?

    I doubt it. And the only difference in that case would be that I would actually agree with you; murdering thugs should be in jail.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    ....on condition he didn't re-offend, right ?
    Is the man not innocent until proven guilty?

    Because he made his choices.
    So you would let him die. I will remember that the next time you try to take the moral high ground. Disgusting.

    You have a very naive, simplistic attitude to crime and those who do it by the way. "choices". :rolleyes:


    Maybe if "all the material" wasn't blatant propaganda I would. The last time I asked for 100% facts in relation to who someone was, you went off on a biased pathos tangent of which the Sindo would have been proud.
    Jesus Liam. A speech by the mans wife detailing his condition etc, and you put your fingers in your ears, "na na na na cant hear you, propaganda!!!" Very childish Liam, I thought someone your age would be better than that. I linked a SDLP and a SF press release, and a UTV article, thats pretty good going for a OP.
    Maybe if all your posts weren't demanding subversion of justice and release and better terms for thugs (although to be fair, you don't demand it for all thugs, just 50% of them).
    Your getting boring Liam!
    Maybe if you were more interested in demanding stuff for people who hadn't tried to murder and maim Irish people ?
    Yawn, Same old, hey, you voted to release loads of them from jail :)You have done more for them than I ever have.
    What health would those people be in if he'd had his way ?
    How does it matter? Does everyone not have the same rights regardless of what they think or do? Are they not still human?
    Given his age and condition, I wonder if he's about the same age and health as those involved in Bloody Sunday ? Would you start a thread about them ?
    Now that you mention it I was planning to make a thread calling for a general amnesty for all those involved in things like that, so the truth can come out. That was brought on by the news today that the last parent of a Bloody Sunday victim died, the only one alive to see the Saville report published. Its a disgrace he was the only parent to see his 17 year old son vindicated and his unlawful murder and innocence acknowledged. Everyone needs the truth now, before it is too late.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,672 ✭✭✭anymore


    " In 2009 he was brought up in court on attempted robbery charges, "
    Could you clarify, was he trying to rob somebody ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    anymore wrote: »
    " In 2009 he was brought up in court on attempted robbery charges, "
    Could you clarify, was he trying to rob somebody ?
    It was a pretty horrible thing really, he was accused of being in a gang which planned a tiger kidnapping of a family... The ringleader was the boyfriend(of 2 years!) of the daughter from said family.

    What was his alleged involvement? I don't know, his illness was very bad at that time too.

    But, its important to remember he has not been found guilty of anything in relation to that. Charges have been shelved.

    But still, I feel thats pretty irrelevant, thats not why he is in jail anyway, and even if it was I still think he should be allowed to go home to his wife and better medical care where, maybe, he could recover, or, more likely it seems, die at home with some dignity.


  • Hosted Moderators Posts: 1,713 ✭✭✭Soldie


    I'm starting to warm to that Northern Ireland sub-forum idea. As soon as the number of Northern Ireland threads on the first page of the forum drops below ~3, there's someone at the ready to bore us all to tears with yet another thread on one of the conflict's innumerable minutiae.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Soldie wrote: »
    I'm starting to warm to that Northern Ireland sub-forum idea. As soon as the number of Northern Ireland threads on the first page of the forum drops below ~3, there's someone at the ready to bore us all to tears with yet another thread on one of the conflict's innumerable minutiae.
    Please accept my sincere apologies for kicking in your door, holding a gun to your head, and forcing you to read this thread.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,971 ✭✭✭✭Fr Tod Umptious


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Please accept my sincere apologies for kicking in your door, holding a gun to your head, and forcing you to read this thread.

    Sounds like something your mate Lillis would do while out on license


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Please accept my sincere apologies for kicking in your door, holding a gun to your head, and forcing you to read this thread.

    Sounds like something your mate Lillis would do while out on license

    Now now.....Wolfe Tone only wants the man to be able to die with dignity....

    Let's ignore the fact that this was a privilege the same "man" refused to afford to his intended victims.

    Live by the sword, die by the sword.

    At least the fate of the subject of the thread is related to his choices, unlike those who simply chose to go shopping or whatever his intended target was.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 7,225 ✭✭✭Yitzhak Rabin


    I got mixed up when I saw the title and thought this was a thread calling for Eamon Lillis to be freed! :pac:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Sounds like something your mate Lillis would do while out on license
    Considering he cant walk and is nearly dead, I doubt it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    yekahS wrote: »
    I got mixed up when I saw the title and thought this was a thread calling for Eamon Lillis to be freed! :pac:

    Good point - the thread title should be phrased as a question open for discussion rather than a propaganda soapbox.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 829 ✭✭✭pokerface_me


    Disgusting comments Liam Byrne. Every man woman and child has the right to proper medical care. This guy is in prison for a crime committed in the 70's. If charges have been shelfed he should not be in prison as he hasn't been convicted of any crime while out on licence.

    Innocent till proven guilty


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Disgusting comments Liam Byrne. Every man woman and child has the right to proper medical care. This guy is in prison for a crime committed in the 70's. If charges have been shelfed he should not be in prison as he hasn't been convicted of any crime while out on licence.

    Innocent till proven guilty

    Nothing disgusting whatsoever. See highlighted part of your own post.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    Nothing disgusting whatsoever. See highlighted part of your own post.
    But he served his time and was released near 20 years ago.

    He served his time. You however voted to have lots of paramilitaries let out early.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    But he served his time and was released near 20 years ago.

    He served his time. You however voted to have lots of paramilitaries let out early.

    Unfortunately it was presented as a necessary evil to stop innocent people getting murdered.

    Definitely wouldn't have chosen to do it for no reason; they made their choices.

    How many people will releasing this would-be murderer save ?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 26,567 ✭✭✭✭Fratton Fred


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    It was a pretty horrible thing really, he was accused of being in a gang which planned a tiger kidnapping of a family... The ringleader was the boyfriend(of 2 years!) of the daughter from said family.

    What was his alleged involvement? I don't know, his illness was very bad at that time too.

    But, its important to remember he has not been found guilty of anything in relation to that. Charges have been shelved.

    But still, I feel thats pretty irrelevant, thats not why he is in jail anyway, and even if it was I still think he should be allowed to go home to his wife and better medical care where, maybe, he could recover, or, more likely it seems, die at home with some dignity.

    He was arrested for attempting to kidnap someones family and presumably threatening to kill them unless vast amounts of cash were handed over.

    Now he wants to be released on humanitarian grounds.

    Surely humanitarian grounds don't apply to animals.

    Still, he fought for da cause so nothing else matters.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,971 ✭✭✭✭Fr Tod Umptious


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    Considering he cant walk and is nearly dead, I doubt it.

    Pedantry again plays its part in any discussion about NI


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 5,650 ✭✭✭sensibleken


    I love the way compassion and a right to trial seems to to be a right of republicans but not their victims


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭Bottle_of_Smoke


    He's 5stone 5pounds and disabled so no threat to anyone. If he does die in prison it will be a massive propaganda coup for anti-gfa republicans.

    Its true we wouldn't be having this conversation if he was a non-republican prisoner because he would have been released by now.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,020 ✭✭✭BlaasForRafa


    He's 5stone 5pounds and disabled so no threat to anyone. If he does die in prison it will be a massive propaganda coup for anti-gfa republicans.

    Its true we wouldn't be having this conversation if he was a non-republican prisoner because he would have been released by now.

    We wouldn't be having this conversation if he was a non-republican because the republican posters wouldn't give a crap about him.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭Bottle_of_Smoke


    We wouldn't be having this conversation if he was a non-republican because the republican posters wouldn't give a crap about him.
    To be honest I couldn't care less about a pointless debate in which we try to establish what posters would be saying if the situation were different.

    All I know is if he were not a republican, he would not be kept in prison in such poor health.

    If this were Michael Stone in the same condition I'd argue for his release too, for two main reasons.

    A: At 5stone 5 pounds with a debilitating condition, he is of no threat to anyone

    B: If he does die in prison, it will be great propaganda material for anti-gfa republicans. Can see it already "another irish man dies in british jail....nothing's changed" etc etc and it will make more people sympathetic to their views.

    Its all very well sitting in the republic of ireland not having to deal with the consequences but you need to realise this will have a big impact if not resolved, the marching season has been the most "eventful" in years and dissidents have actually killed a man this year. Community tension is higher than normal and the peace process is at its most fragile that I've seen it. look at the bigger picture.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    Its all very well sitting in the republic of ireland not having to deal with the consequences but you need to realise this will have a big impact if not resolved, the marching season has been the most "eventful" in years and dissidents have actually killed a man this year. Community tension is higher than normal and the peace process is at its most fragile that I've seen it. look at the bigger picture.

    What impact ?

    And - if I'm reading you right - why should we give in to extortion and threats ?

    Should we give in to the extortion and threats of other criminals and their supporters too ?

    Riots in Limerick from Wayne Dundon's supporters if we don't let him out ?

    What is your criteria for where we draw the line ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 804 ✭✭✭round tower huntsman


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »


    The above video is of a recent speech by his partner, Roisin.

    A basic summary; the man has been bedridden for over 600 days at this stage, he can't walk and can barely talk. He is down to five and a half stone. He is on a feeding tube also. His partner has been told by Doctors that he has only days to live. His condition is a form of severe arthritis which causes your spine to fuse, something to do with excess bone mass.

    He was first jailed for life in the 1970s for possession of explosives and weapons, he served 16 years in the H-Blocks and was a blanket man for a period. He was released on license in the early nineties. In 2009 he was brought up in court on attempted robbery charges, his license was revoked after his arrest and he was returned to jail. He was subsequently deemed too ill for trial. Hence he is in jail now for an act perpetrated in the 70s.

    The man is clearly no danger to society. In addition he is not receiving proper medical care in the prison hospital, for instance the infrequent visits by Doctors and physiotherapists are a major reason why his condition is so bad and he is nearing death.

    This man should be released on humanitarian grounds. The SDLP and Sinn Féin have also called for him to be released on humanitarian grounds.



    Its a disgrace that this man, someone who poses no danger whatsoever, a very ill man, too ill to stand for trial, has had his license revoked while loyalist leaders on license have not, and are free to orchestrate mass sectarian attacks on nationalist areas, like Short Strand in Belfast.

    In an attempt to highlight Brendan's plight his partner and a number of other people are planning a three day fast;




    The 3 day fast is starting at 12pm on Thursday the 21st at the site of the old Anderstown police station.

    David Ford and the British secretary of state need to intervene and set this man free. David Ford is a disgrace of a Justice minister. The prison service is a disgrace, as are the prisons themselves, and a significant portion of their staff.

    Why is he keeping this very ill man in jail for a decades old act?


    thats british justice at work in ireland. the more things change the more they stay the same.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    thats british justice at work in ireland. the more things change the more they stay the same.

    It's actually just justice at work.

    The worst part of this campaign is the fact that the guy was ALREADY given a chance and blew it, which is why his release licence was revoked.

    If he'd availed of the chance he was given and gotten away from criminality, he'd still be free.

    So he made not one but TWO bad choices, which put him where he is today.

    His fault; no-one else's.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 804 ✭✭✭round tower huntsman


    all the while released uvf goons run amok in belfast.....................do you honestly think irish people on the occupied side of the border will see it as justice. irish people living under the occupation will see this as typical british (in)justice. the brits cant seem to help themselves when it comes to prisoners,they always go down the road of trying to teach irish seperatists a lesson using the prison system but instead usually end up helping to boost the moral and membership republicans groups.
    free brendan now!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 18,163 ✭✭✭✭Liam Byrne


    all the while released uvf goons run amok in belfast

    Was wondering when the whataboutery would show its face.

    Whether they are or not makes no difference to the crimes that he committed.
    you honestly think irish people on the occupied side of the border will see it as justice.

    I'd like to think there are many who appreciate law & order. But I accept that some would be so blinkered as to refuse to acknowledge the fact that it is justice.

    free brendan now!

    My answer would be no. But then I can't control the authorities in another country.

    But as I stated above, he even got his chance to behave decently and he chose to refuse it.

    If it were a "3 strikes" rule like America, which I favour, he'd be two-thirds of the way there.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 804 ✭✭✭round tower huntsman


    its not whataboutery, loyalists ex prisoners wether or not they are re involved in crime or political activism or not pursued like non main stream republicans. this case, the one of gerry mcgeough, marian price, martin gory etc.....................................................show that brits will always do deals with friends and harrass those that wont do a deal. these actions only re-enforce the dissos argument that the brits are still in control and will use the stick instead of the carrot when they feel like it.
    free brendan now!
    if he's as bad as he sounds and he dies in a british gaol then it'll be another nail in the normalisation process and another own goal by the brits.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 806 ✭✭✭getzls


    Disgusting comments Liam Byrne. Every man woman and child has the right to proper medical care. This guy is in prison for a crime committed in the 70's. If charges have been shelfed he should not be in prison as he hasn't been convicted of any crime while out on licence.

    Innocent till proven guilty

    Is he not getting proper medical care in prison? They let Ronnie Biggs out. If they are keeping him in prison they must think he's a danger to the rest of us.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,770 ✭✭✭Bottle_of_Smoke


    Liam Byrne wrote:
    Was wondering when the whataboutery would show its face.

    Whether they are or not makes no difference to the crimes that he committed.
    not whataboutery in the classic sense there.

    One of the main pillars of the peace process was reform of policing and justice. Had to have 2 whole new agreements to pull that off. (st andrews and hillsborough)

    So it backs up his point about people within northern ireland feeling the justice system is not impartial given the fact loyalists are being allowed to cause violent incidents without charges, having meetings with the first ministers, receive apologies after rioting, whilst a dying republican of 5 stone is lying in a prison bed

    I really don't know why you post on border related threads when you continuously display such a lack of understanding or interest in the realities of northern ireland


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,116 ✭✭✭starviewadams


    I'd imagine he's getting better medical care in prison then he would be getting if he was in a crowded public hospital ward,which is no knock on our overworked frontline doctors and nurses btw.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    getzls wrote: »
    Is he not getting proper medical care in prison? They let Ronnie Biggs out. If they are keeping him in prison they must think he's a danger to the rest of us.
    No he isn't. He is no threat, the man is bedridden, and has been for over 600 days, and is near death.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 14,670 ✭✭✭✭Wolfe Tone


    Liam Byrne wrote: »
    It's actually just justice at work.

    The worst part of this campaign is the fact that the guy was ALREADY given a chance and blew it, which is why his release licence was revoked.

    If he'd availed of the chance he was given and gotten away from criminality, he'd still be free.

    So he made not one but TWO bad choices, which put him where he is today.

    His fault; no-one else's.
    I would disagree with him making "two" bad choices.


    And Huntsman, I agree 100%, a year or so ago I really thought things where different, but with the events that have happened I have changed my mind, things are the same as ever when it comes to British "justice".


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 806 ✭✭✭getzls


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    No he isn't. He is no threat, the man is bedridden, and has been for over 600 days, and is near death.

    Sounds like a good case for letting him out. What i am saying is why are they keeping him in prison. They sent D Price back to jail for more than just reading out from a piece of paper. THEY know things we don't.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 882 ✭✭✭LondonIrish90


    Wolfe Tone wrote: »
    No he isn't. He is no threat, the man is bedridden, and has been for over 600 days, and is near death.

    To be fair, not being a threat any more is a fairly shallow argument for releasing somebody. Prevention of crime by detention is only one service that a prison provides.

    I'm sure the majority of those in Britain who are in prison on terrorism charges can no longer be considered a threat. Their phones and computers will be bugged like there is no tomorrow and they will be constantly tracked by the police and security services. They shouldn't be released on their merry way as soon as a surveillance network is established though.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 804 ✭✭✭round tower huntsman


    as usual the brits attitude to irish seperatists and political prisoners will be their undoing.............they cant help themselves! we've seen it all through the ages tone,ashe,gaughn,sands etc...............................all abused and killed in brit gaols as a lesson to irish seperatists, all inspired more to join and carry on. if brendan dies,touch wood, it will be an other nail in the normalisation farce and the nails are coming thick and fast these days.


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