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18 December 1997 Edition

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What Saoirse really means

By Laurence McKeown

Fair play to him. Those were Gerry's words when asked for a comment about the escape of Liam Averill from Long Kesh and I would say he summed up the thoughts of all in those few words.

Everyone likes an escape. It counjures up defiance, a battle of wits and success in the face of great obstacles. When thinking of escapes we physically retrace the steps of the escape, wondering if at any moment someone is going to say halt.

Coming as it did in prisoners month, it left an even more sweet taste in our mouths. Like vintage port, claims a cultured friend of mine, and who are we to contradict him?

I was thinking of escapes, prisons and prisoners as I was writing out a few Christmas cards to friends (which meant I was left with the bigger part of a packet of 12). Thoughts of a recent conversation with the partner of a prisoner came to mind. Let's call her Sile.

Sile's partner has spent a long time in prison, as long as some life sentence prisoners. Due to his particular circumstances Sile doesn't know when he will be released but she lives in hope. She was telling me how this Christmas she will also have her sister's three young children. As her sister is ill Sile offered to look after them. What else could could you do, she said. They would be taken into care.

Sile herself has two children, one of whom requires a special diet. Sile didn't speak with any display of self-pity nor did she see herself as any different from most other single parents, but the tiredness and concern showed on her face. I wondered how many more lines would be added to it before 1997 was over.

Saoirse, to Sile and many more like her, is a word that conjures up much more than a campaign in support of the release of prisoners. Saoirse for Sile would mean much more than the release of her partner. It would mean saoirse to enjoy life a bit more. It would mean someone to share the problems with and the good times too. It would mean someone to help with the children to bring in money to ease the burden of housework.

To socialise with, to go home with, to waken up to. Sile can't get out of her prison by donning a wig and walking past the sentries. No degree of cunning on her part will overcome the walls that surround her on all sides. When the headcount is done she will be there in the morning, at noon, in the evening. Serving out her sentence.

So as 1997 draws to a close I wish Liam and all others thinking along those lines every success in 1998. It has been an eventful year, a good year for republicans and we should rejoice in our victories, take time out to give each other a slap on the back. But spare a thought too for the Sile in your street or area. For many the peace process has meant they can sleep a bit more easily in their beds at night. Others simply continue to sleep alone.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland