RNU - End the Suffering in Maghaberry

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Tuesday January 17, 2012 16:39 by Baile Áth Cliath - RNU - Republican Network for Unity

The Republican Network for Unity wish to make an appeal to the wider public and call on all political representatives to get behind the protesting prisoners in Maghaberry Gaol in a humanitarian effort, and demand an end to the inhumane treatment directed towards the prisoners.

The conditions in Maghaberry Gaol are deteriorating fast with many prisoners suffering as a consequence. Tony Taylor, Marian Price and Gerry McGeough are in a state of uncertainty, as their ill-health is being further reduced to dangerous levels brought on by carelessness and neglect from the prison authorities and administration.

This time last year, protesters took the fight to the prison administration in an attempt to have seriously ill prisoner Brendan Lillis released on humanitarian grounds. It wasn't until Brendan was near deaths door and coupled with both pressure and support coming from the outside, the prison administration finely gave in to the demands and released him.

This was a very close call for Brendan, who's medical condition never should have been let to fester into the dangerous levels, that nearly killed him, while he lay incarcerated within Maghaberry gaol.

Now over a year later, Tony Taylor is being subjected to the same conditions that nearly killed Brendan Lillis.

Bellow is an abstract that was taken from a recent statement in a newspaper giving by Lorraine Taylor, Tony's wife. Tony's condition is dire and all help is needed to secure his release so he can receive the proper treatment and healthcare he so badly needs.

“Tony is in ill-health since being blown up in a bomb 18 years ago and has no spleen, no kidney and shrapnel in his body. Now they think he has septic arthritis, which could be poisoning his blood.”

“My husband is on 23hr lock down and only let out of his cell to make daily phone calls, have family visits or to visit the Governor,at all times Tony is chaperoned by up to four prison guards and monitored continuously by the Maghaberry CCTV, the remainder of Tony’s time is spent in his cell. Regardless of this high level of supervision, Tony who refuses to be strip searched has his clothes forcibly removed by the prisons riot squad to have cavity searches carried out each and every time he leaves and returns to his cell. This is clearly a violation of his human rights as there is no justification for this inhumane treatment.”

How long will it take before intervention takes place and people's consciousness kicks in and decide to take action?

When will people step-in and say “enough is enough”?

Will it be before or after one of the prisoners meets their ill-fate?

Time is running out fast! We all need to act now and do whatever it takes to stop the latter from becoming a reality! We all have a responsibility and a part to play, to bring an end to and stop the systematic, degrading, forceful strip-searches, ending this hellish nightmare that so many prisoners are forced to endure.

We are imploring all able humanitarians to please do all you can, to help Tony and the protesting prisoners, by contacting your local politicians asking them to intervene in this grave situation that the prisoners find themselves in today.