Tag: Parole

VETERAN REPUBLICAN HAS PAROLE HEARING CANCELLED

‘No alternative date has been suggested or discussed with us – Jim Mcllmurray.

LURGAN republican Martin Corey, who has been interned without charge for over three years inside Maghaberry Prison since 2010 after his licence was revoked, has had his latest parole hearing canceled just days before it was due to take place.

1148814_1431534863737769_1247466380_n

The 63-year-old who served 19-years in prison for his part in the shooting of two RUC men in 1972 was released on licence in 1992 and worked as a grave digger prior to being arrested over three years ago. He has subsequently not been charged with any offence and despite being entitled to an annual parole hearing has not been in front of the Parole Commissioners, who decide if he should be released, for 25 months. Jim Mcllmurrey who acts as a spokesman for the Lurgan republican said his legal team was contacted on August 30 to say a parole hearing due to take place last week was once again being postponed.”No alternative date has being suggested or discussed with us,” Mr Mcllmury said. “A variety of reasons have been given for the delay, including blaming Martin himself for his legal challenges against his detention. “The European Court of Human Rights ruled in 2012 that it was uunacceptable to deny an annual parole hearing to anyone held in custody. “This ruling followed a case of a man who waited 14 months for a parole hearing, Martin Corey has now waited 25 months. The Secretary of State in a recent communication stated, ‘an individual who served a life sentence can be returned to prison if they pose a risk to the public or commits further offences.” “Since Martin’s arrest in April 2010, he has never been charged with a crime, or given any explanation as the risk he poses to the public. “He has now served the equivalent of a seven year sentence since his arrest in 2010.”

With many thanks to : Allison Morris, The Irish News.

 Related articles

IRA POWs (Cabhair) set the record stright

966882_492070027533282_1685420683_o

IRA POWs (Cabhair) set the record straight

FOLLOWING an internal discussion by CABHAIR-aligned prisoners a decision was taken to share facilities with Roe 4 prisoners, ie meals, gym facilities, exercise yard etc.

Disagreements arose with some prisoners in Roe House over the issues of parole and bail conditions. Some prisoners have recently accepted bail and conditions imposed by the prison authorities, i.e. drug tests have been taken, electronic tags accepted as parole conditions.

As Republicans we believe this is not acceptable as it is an attempt to criminalise our struggle. As some prisoners have accepted this, the prison is now using it as an excuse not to grant parole to other prisoners who are not accepting these conditions. We believe this is an attempt by the prison to foster disagreement and disunity among prisoners, to divide and conquer.

Within the prison the CIRA prisoners’ position has not changed. We are operating under our own command structure and we are fully aligned to the leadership of the Republican Movement, Republican Sinn Féin and CABHAIR. Republican Sinn Féin and CABHAIR remain the only people authorised to speak and fundraise on our behalf.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who has been supportive of us in the past and ask that this support continues for us and CABHAIR.

Recently a CIRA prisoner, Damien McKenna of Lurgan, was refused parole to attend his son’s Communion, the reasons given was that he is a Category A prisoner, if released he would be a danger to the police and the public, also there was danger he would abscond. They also claimed he would not be eligible for parole until November.

These are used as excuses to deny parole, but they will use the issue of drug testing etc to block parole. This is the second time Damien has been refused parole. He was refused parole for his father’s funeral which shows the vindictiveness of the system.

At present the system of cooperation with Roe 4 prisoners is working efficiently, now we await the August 2010 agreement is to be fully implemented. We call on all Republican prisoners to work for the full implementation of the agreement.

Related articles
%d bloggers like this: