20 December 2002 Edition
Colombia 3 support group set up in Derry
The Derry Bring Them Home committee unveiled a mural for the Colombia 3 campaign, on Saturday, 8 December, at the back of Free Derry Wall.
Up to 200 people attended a public meeting in Derry's Gasyard Centre, at the end of last month, to raise concerns about the three Irish men currently being detained, without charge, in hazardous jail conditions in Colombia.
A support group was set up after the meeting, which was addressed by Caitríona Ruane, spokesperson for the Bring Them Home campaign, which is working to have the trio returned to Ireland. Members of the men's families also attended the meeting.
Johnny Walker, one of Birmingham 6, and Gerry McLaughlin, a former Sinn Féin councillor in Derry, unveiled the mural.
"In light of the adverse, almost hysterical media attention to the arrest of the three men, how could anyone honestly hope for a fair hearing in this case," Walker asked.
"Twenty seven years ago my arrest was met by the same anti-Irish political trial and conviction in public, well before any 'judicial' process was completed. It was 17 years later before the travesty was recognised by those who held us."
Up to 200 people attended a public meeting in Derry's Gasyard Centre, at the end of last month, to raise concerns about the three Irish men currently being detained, without charge, in hazardous jail conditions in Colombia.
A support group was set up after the meeting, which was addressed by Caitríona Ruane, spokesperson for the Bring Them Home campaign, which is working to have the trio returned to Ireland. Members of the men's families also attended the meeting.
Johnny Walker, one of Birmingham 6, and Gerry McLaughlin, a former Sinn Féin councillor in Derry, unveiled the mural.
"In light of the adverse, almost hysterical media attention to the arrest of the three men, how could anyone honestly hope for a fair hearing in this case," Walker asked.
"Twenty seven years ago my arrest was met by the same anti-Irish political trial and conviction in public, well before any 'judicial' process was completed. It was 17 years later before the travesty was recognised by those who held us."