15 April 1999 Edition
Long-serving POWs released at last
By Martin Spain
The four longest-serving republican prisoners in the current phase of the struggle, Hugh Doherty from Donegal, Joe O'Connell and Harry Duggan from Clare, and Eddie Butler from Limerick, were among five republican prisoners finally released this week under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, after 24 years in prison. A fifth republican POW, Liam Quinn from San Francisco, was also released by the Dublin government after 19 years of imprisonment, as was miscarriage of justice victim John Kinsella.
The five republican prisoners had been to the forefront of prison campaigns in England before their eventual repatriation in 1998. All bar Liam Quinn were home on parole when news of their release broke. This reporter happened to be in Donegal for Hughie Doherty's homecoming, which was emotionally charged and enthusiastic. A 70-car cavalcade sped and beeped its way past roaring bonfires from Letterkenny to Carrigart and hundreds of republicans, friends, and neighbours later turned out in a local hostelry to welcome home the hero.
There were similar scenes in Castleconnell, County Limerick, where Eddie Butler was celebrating both his release and his 50th birthday. Joe O'Connell and Harry Duggan put in a surprise appearance, making the night's festivities a truly dual and festive occasion.
The four longest-serving republican prisoners in the current phase of the struggle, Hugh Doherty from Donegal, Joe O'Connell and Harry Duggan from Clare, and Eddie Butler from Limerick, were among five republican prisoners finally released this week under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, after 24 years in prison. A fifth republican POW, Liam Quinn from San Francisco, was also released by the Dublin government after 19 years of imprisonment, as was miscarriage of justice victim John Kinsella.
The five republican prisoners had been to the forefront of prison campaigns in England before their eventual repatriation in 1998. All bar Liam Quinn were home on parole when news of their release broke. This reporter happened to be in Donegal for Hughie Doherty's homecoming, which was emotionally charged and enthusiastic. A 70-car cavalcade sped and beeped its way past roaring bonfires from Letterkenny to Carrigart and hundreds of republicans, friends, and neighbours later turned out in a local hostelry to welcome home the hero.
There were similar scenes in Castleconnell, County Limerick, where Eddie Butler was celebrating both his release and his 50th birthday. Joe O'Connell and Harry Duggan put in a surprise appearance, making the night's festivities a truly dual and festive occasion.