The Celtic League Secretary General, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot has urged the Irish government to seek the repatriation of Real IRA prisoner, Noel Maguire. The League say that like others Maguire should be able to complete his sentence in Ireland at Portlaoise Prison.
"Mr. Brian Lenihan, T.D., Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 94 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
Minister Dermot Ahern TD Minister for Foreign Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs, 80 St. Stephen's Green, Dublin 2
Dear Minister Brian Lenihan, T.D
Repatriation of Noel Maguire
At out August 2006 AGM in Landerne, Breizh/Brittany the following resolution was unanimously passed:
'This AGM calls for all political prisoners in and from the Celtic countries to be repatriated and put in prisons close to their homes.'
Previously the League wrote letters to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and your predecessor Michael McDowell concerning the repatriation of Aiden and Robert Hulme and we were pleased to learn that they were later moved to Portlaoise Prison in County Laoise, to be closer to their families.
We are now seeking a review of the repatriation case of Noel Maguire, who is the last of the above mentioned prisoners, to be held in England of those convicted in April 2003 for conspiracy to cause explosions between January and November 2001, as part of the Real IRA bombing campaign. All six of Maguire's co-defendants have now been repatriated to Portlaoise Prison and we ask the same be done for Maguire, to ensure that all prisoners are treated fairly and without prejudice under Irish law.
Moreover, the Celtic League is aware of the psychological and physical strain that Maguire is under following a vicious knife attack earlier this year by fellow prisoners and believe that his future well-being would be improved if he was moved to a prison closer to his family members. Mr Maguire, who is from Co Fermanagh, is within his rights as an Irish citizen to apply for repatriation and can do so at any time as a citizen of the EU and we encourage you to reconsider his case.
We look forward to hearing from you
Yours sincerely"
As indicated the Celtic League has previously campaigned for the return of other political prisoners held in English jails. See Celtic News:
No. 1981 IRISH PRISONER CONCERN - Aug 9, 2006
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
24/06/07
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