Monday, August 06, 2007

'IN CURRAGH CONCENTRATION CAMP'.......
From 'The United Irishman' newspaper, January 1958 .

TIPPERARY :
Thomas Gill , Fattheen House , Nenagh .
James Slattery , Ballyanny , Nenagh .
Andy McDonnell , Gralla , Nenagh .
Dan Gleeson , Elmhill , Ballymackey , Nenagh .

TYRONE :
Joseph McIlduff , Merchantstown , Omagh .

WESTMEATH :
Patrick Harney , 11 Railway Cottages , Athlone .

(MORE LATER).




HENRY DOHERTY : 44 DAYS ON HUNGER-STRIKE.

From 'Wigmore' column , 'MAGILL' magazine, March 1986.

At the time of writing , Henry Doherty is 44 days on hunger strike in Portlaoise Prison . He is looking for wood that was destroyed during a search to be replaced , and open visits , in accordance with an agreement reached between the (State) Department of Justice and the prisoners last year .

On 14 February 1986 , when Henry Doherty was on hunger strike for 34 days , a query was put to the Department , asking if they could confirm that the man was on hunger strike ? Twenty-four hours later the answer came back - 'Yes' . However , no notification had been sent to his family , who only learned of the matter from a local radio station in Belfast on Sunday 16 February 1986 .

His sister telephoned Portlaoise Prison but they couldn't confirm that the hunger striker was in fact her brother , and refused to give her any information . To date , the family have not been offically informed that Henry Doherty is on hunger strike . The Department has claimed that it is up to prisoners themselves to let people know that they are on hunger strike : 'they have paper , they can write' , so the logic goes.......

(MORE LATER).






NICKY KELLY: STATE HIGH COURT JUDGEMENT.......
From 'Wigmore'Column , MAGILL magazine, February 1986 .

The Birmingham Six case has become so notorious , so discredited , that British MP's , Labour and Conservative , want it reopened . Those in Leinster House have supported these calls .

Two of the Birmingham Six tried to take a civil case against those who beat them up (and there is irrefutable evidence that they were beaten up) but were 'estopped' on the grounds that the matter had been decided by the original trial . There is a section in a judgement given by 'Lord' Denning in this case which bears repeating . Younger readers are advised to make sure they are sitting down first -

" Just consider the course of events if this action were to proceed to trial . It will not be tried for 18 months or two years . If the six men fail , it will mean that much time and money and worry will have been expended by many people for no good purpose . If the six men win....... "

(MORE LATER).