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10 June 1999 Edition

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Back issue: Gerry Kelly released

Admist sensationalised media coverage, Belfast POW Gerry Kelly was released from the infamous H-Blocks of Long Kesh last Friday, June 2nd.

Without a trace of irony the two main British news programmes carried the story as their evening headline, with a commentary that blamed the system for releasing him too soon. Having conducted a worldwide publicity onslaught following their successful application for Kelly's extradition from Holland, along with fellow escapee Brendan ``Bic'' McFarlane the British were now wringing their hands and showing their disgust at having to release him due to the ``deal'' they were ``forced' to sign to get him back.

The ``deal'' was in fact a recognition by the Dutch judiciary that Kelly's offences were political and that the only thing he could be charged with upon his return to the North was the escape from the H-Blocks. With the outcome of the escape trial not coming up to the requirements of the British administration, due to the contradictions in the evidence of the prison officers and RUC, Kelly recieved a five year sentence and with full remission was released last week.

An Phoblacht, 8 June, 1989.


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