RNU Outraged At Brutality Against Republican Prisoners in Maghaberry

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Saturday May 21, 2011 12:36 by RNU PRO - Republican Network for Unity (RNU)

RNU/Cogus Representative Ciaran Cunningham, has expressed outrage at the continuing brutality in Maghaberry against republican prisoners.

RNU/Cogus Representative Ciaran Cunningham, has expressed outrage at the continuing brutality in Maghaberry against republican prisoners.

Last night (Friday 20/05/11) republican pows were told by a Senior Officer to "lock up" at 7.15pm, the Political Prisoners subsequently informed the SO that the12th August Agreement of 2010 stated that the new core day would have an 8pm lock-up and that they would be honouring the lock up time as enshrined in the Agreement!

At 7.23pm 40 riot clad screws from Magaberry's notorious "search team" entered the yard on the republican wing. One prisoner from Derry, Phil O' Donnell approached them attempting to inform them, that their protest was peaceful. For his efforts, he was punched in the face which resulted in having a busted nose.

The "Ninjas" then rushed at the sitting POWs' and proceeded to handcuff them. All the while, kicking and punching a number of POWs'. The remainder were held in brutal choke holds, all were literally trailed back to their cells like animals. The Political Prisoners then demanded medical assistance for a variety of injuries, that included which included breathing difficulties, bruising, swelling and a bloody nose.

Once again, we witness the Loyalist POA entusiastically brutalising our POWs. The same Screws have constantly undermined last year's Agreement. Whilst the Stormont Department of Justice fails to honour the 12th August Agreement.

Today, Irish Republicans remember the sacrifice of Vols' Raymond McCreesh and Patsy O'Hara, who died, on the 1981 Hunger-Strike. As they and their imprisoned comrades refused to be criminailsed by Britain.

The Republican Network for Unity call on everyone, Republican or otherwise to rally behind Maghaberry's Political Prisoners before someone loses their life! Cogus echo the words of Oglach.Patsy O'Hara; "After we are gone, what will you say you were doing? Will you say you were with us in our struggle or were you conforming to the very system that drove us to our deaths".