A protest was held in London last week (20th August 2009) calling for the repatriation of Noel Maguire to a prison in Ireland.
The protest was attended by Irish nationalists and members of the London-Basque Committee and was held outside the London offices of Home Secretary (UK) Alan Johnson. Following five refusals by the Irish authorities to grant Mr Maguire permission to be transferred to Portlaoise prison in the Republic of Ireland to be closer to his family, Mr Maguire applied late last year for a transfer to Maghaberry Prison, County Antrim (north of Ireland). However the authorities misplaced Mr Maguire's most recent application, which has consequently delayed the transferral process.
In a recent update, it has been communicated to the Celtic League that Mr Maguire is currently recovering from the Swine Flu virus and spent nine days in the prison hospital wing at Whitemoor.
Mr Maguire has not seen his family – who live in the Republic of Ireland near Portlaoise prison - for nine years.
Link:
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
25/08/09
■