4 December 1997 Edition
Prison opportunity allowed to slip
By Marcas Mac Ruairí
AS three republican prisoners are brought back to Ireland from prisons in England, the NIO has announced that prisoners are to benefit from ten days parole at Christmas.
Pat Hayes from London is serving 30 years, Vincent Wood from Mayo 22 years and Denis Kinsella from Dublin 35 years were brought to Port Laoise yesterday.
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on prison issues, Belfast City Councillor, Michael Brown, has described the moves as minimalist.
He said: ``While we will welcome any initiative which improves conditions for prisoners and their families, this week's developments must be placed in their proper perspective.
``For too long the British Government has attempted to give the impression of movement on prison issues. However, their approach to date has in the main been purely cosmetic. What is required as a matter of urgency at this point is serious action.
``At this stage of the peace process there is a growing anger and resentment that the British Government have not fully extended their own transfer policy to Irish political prisoners in English jails and that movement with regard to the release of political prisoners would seemingly be as far away as ever.
``By the very fact that they are cosmetically tinkering with prison related matters it would appear that British Government ministers are fully aware of expectations with regard to political prisoners.
``If the British Government is interested in demonstrating its good faith they can begin immediately by transferring all Irish political prisoners to jails in this country. If they wish to address prison related issues in a manner which will impact positively on the peace process they will address the release issue in a constructive fashion.
Adding Saoirse's voice to Sinn Féin's concerns, Chairperson Eoghan Mac Cormaic commented: ``Short term paroles and transfers are no substitute for releases.''
He called for families and friends of prisoners to support the December activities for the release of all political prisoners.
AS three republican prisoners are brought back to Ireland from prisons in England, the NIO has announced that prisoners are to benefit from ten days parole at Christmas.
Pat Hayes from London is serving 30 years, Vincent Wood from Mayo 22 years and Denis Kinsella from Dublin 35 years were brought to Port Laoise yesterday.
Sinn Féin's spokesperson on prison issues, Belfast City Councillor, Michael Brown, has described the moves as minimalist.
He said: ``While we will welcome any initiative which improves conditions for prisoners and their families, this week's developments must be placed in their proper perspective.
``For too long the British Government has attempted to give the impression of movement on prison issues. However, their approach to date has in the main been purely cosmetic. What is required as a matter of urgency at this point is serious action.
``At this stage of the peace process there is a growing anger and resentment that the British Government have not fully extended their own transfer policy to Irish political prisoners in English jails and that movement with regard to the release of political prisoners would seemingly be as far away as ever.
``By the very fact that they are cosmetically tinkering with prison related matters it would appear that British Government ministers are fully aware of expectations with regard to political prisoners.
``If the British Government is interested in demonstrating its good faith they can begin immediately by transferring all Irish political prisoners to jails in this country. If they wish to address prison related issues in a manner which will impact positively on the peace process they will address the release issue in a constructive fashion.
Adding Saoirse's voice to Sinn Féin's concerns, Chairperson Eoghan Mac Cormaic commented: ``Short term paroles and transfers are no substitute for releases.''
He called for families and friends of prisoners to support the December activities for the release of all political prisoners.