29 October 2009 Edition
Belfast ex-POWs to meet this Saturday
A MEETING for republican ex-POWs will be held this Saturday, 3 October, at 1pm in the Cultúrlann on the Falls Road.
The event is being organised by Coiste na n-Iarchimí, which represents the interests of all republican ex-prisoners and is campaigning on issues that relate to the ex-POW community.
The purpose of the meeting is to explain the work that Coiste is doing on behalf of the political ex-prisoners.
Many ex-POWs are unaware of the assistance that Coiste can provide to them and their immediate family and organisers hope this meeting will signal the beginning of a greater flow of information.
Some of the issues that will be discussed include:–
A spokesperson for Coiste na n-Iarchimí made an appeal to ex-prisoners:
“We need your viewpoints and opinions. The Coiste staff and volunteers will be there to help in any way. Please come along on Saturday and have your voice heard or get advice on what matters to you.”
The event is being organised by Coiste na n-Iarchimí, which represents the interests of all republican ex-prisoners and is campaigning on issues that relate to the ex-POW community.
The purpose of the meeting is to explain the work that Coiste is doing on behalf of the political ex-prisoners.
Many ex-POWs are unaware of the assistance that Coiste can provide to them and their immediate family and organisers hope this meeting will signal the beginning of a greater flow of information.
Some of the issues that will be discussed include:–
- Provision of advice/welfare clinics;
- Counselling for ex-POWs suffering from trauma;
- Travel restrictions;
- Employment issues;
- Home insurance;
- Pension schemes;
- Education and training bursaries;
- Miscarriages of justice and how to pursue such cases;
- Youth development;
- Torture in barracks and prisons – our plans to put these issues on the political agenda;
- CR gas – particularly the premature death of many former POWs.
A spokesperson for Coiste na n-Iarchimí made an appeal to ex-prisoners:
“We need your viewpoints and opinions. The Coiste staff and volunteers will be there to help in any way. Please come along on Saturday and have your voice heard or get advice on what matters to you.”