20 August 1998 Edition
Maghaberry POWs graduate
The graduation of four Republican POWs was celebrated with a party held in Maghaberry Jail.
Martina Anderson from Derry, Ailish Carroll from Armagh and Belfast's Rosaleen McCorley have all been awarded first class honours degrees by the Open University, while Ella O'Dwyer of Tipperary completed her Doctorate of Philosophy.
``As Republicans we believe the time spent in jail should be used constructively,'' said Geraldine Ferrity, speaking on behalf of the women POWs. She praised the four prisoners who graduated and also the dedication of their Open University tutors but she criticised the attitude of prison authorities. She said women prisoners had succeeded despite the regime. Discrimination against female prisoners including denial of access to education was sucessfully challenged by Republican POWs in Maghaberry. ``We took them to court and won,'' said Geraldine. She described the prison regime's attitude as ``begrudging''.
Martina Anderson from Derry, Ailish Carroll from Armagh and Belfast's Rosaleen McCorley have all been awarded first class honours degrees by the Open University, while Ella O'Dwyer of Tipperary completed her Doctorate of Philosophy.
``As Republicans we believe the time spent in jail should be used constructively,'' said Geraldine Ferrity, speaking on behalf of the women POWs. She praised the four prisoners who graduated and also the dedication of their Open University tutors but she criticised the attitude of prison authorities. She said women prisoners had succeeded despite the regime. Discrimination against female prisoners including denial of access to education was sucessfully challenged by Republican POWs in Maghaberry. ``We took them to court and won,'' said Geraldine. She described the prison regime's attitude as ``begrudging''.