2 October 1997 Edition
Portlaoise releases welcomed
The release of five republican prisoners from Portlaoise Jail on 26 September has been welcomed by Sinn Féin.
The five men released were Michael McLaughlin and Paul Rodgers from Donegal, and Ciarán McFadden, Patrick Villa and Dermot McFarland from Derry.
Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty said: ``At our meeting with the Irish government last Friday, Gerry Adams impressed on the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and on the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue, that the issue of political prisoners needed to be urgently addressed.
``The release of these five prisoners is a very welcome development and is an indication of the seriousness with which the Irish government has approached the peace process in relation to the issue of political prisoners. We are now looking for the government to display a similar approach and begin the release of all political prisoners immediately.
``In the meantime, we urge both governments to process with all speed the applications for transfer of Irish prisoners in England.''
The five men released were Michael McLaughlin and Paul Rodgers from Donegal, and Ciarán McFadden, Patrick Villa and Dermot McFarland from Derry.
Sinn Féin Vice President Pat Doherty said: ``At our meeting with the Irish government last Friday, Gerry Adams impressed on the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and on the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue, that the issue of political prisoners needed to be urgently addressed.
``The release of these five prisoners is a very welcome development and is an indication of the seriousness with which the Irish government has approached the peace process in relation to the issue of political prisoners. We are now looking for the government to display a similar approach and begin the release of all political prisoners immediately.
``In the meantime, we urge both governments to process with all speed the applications for transfer of Irish prisoners in England.''