Maguire Thanks To League

Political prisoner Noel Maguire has written to the Celtic League giving his thanks for their part in the campaign to repatriate him to Ireland.

In a card to Kernow Branch member Charles McLaughlin, Mr Maguire sent Christmas wishes to all those who helped out in the campaign and especially thanked the Celtic League and the Irish Freedom Committee, with whom the League worked very closely alongside.

Mr Maguire said that he is happy with his prison transfer from Whitemoor Prison, Cambridge England to Maghaberry Prison in the north of Ireland. Even though Maghaberry Prison was not Mr Maguire's first choice of prison to move to – he initially applied to Portlaoise Prison in the Republic of Ireland, but was refused on five occasions – it nevertheless means that he is closer to his family, which was the reason behind his original prison transfer application.

In his letter of thanks, Mr Maguire said that he is still waiting for his personal belongings to be transferred to Maghaberry Prison and as soon as he does he will write to others who were also involved in the campaign. Among those who campaigned on Mr Maguire's behalf was international human rights activist Peter Tatchell, who personally contacted the Irish Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in attempt to persuade the Minister to agree to the prison transfer application on humanitarian grounds. Mr Maguire was transferred to Maghaberry Prison on 19th November 2009, after waiting almost a year from his original application.

Supporters who wish to contact Mr Maguire over the Christmas period can contact him at the below address:

Noel Maguire #C8566 Bann House Maghaberry Prison Upper Ballinderry Road Lisburn, County Antrim North of Ireland BT 29 2PT

Members of the Kernow branch, who led the campaign on behalf of the League to transfer Noel Maguire from Whitemoor Prison, will now focus on the campaign to repatriate another Irish prisoner who is currently on trial in Lithuania. Michael Campbell has been held in Lithuania since January 2008 after he and his wife were arrested on suspicion of being in the Real IRA – a charge he vehemently denies.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

24/12/09