Maguire Prison Transfer Achieved

A long running campaign supported solidly by the Celtic League appears to have been vindicated. The Celtic League understand that Noel Maguire imprisoned in England has finally been given permission to transfer prisons and is to be moved to Ireland.

The League was informed that Jack Straw, Minister of Justice (UK), signed Mr Maguire's transfer papers on the 5th October 2009, which now means that he is eligible for transfer to Maghaberry Prison, County Antrim (north of Ireland) at any time. He is currently being held in Whitemoor Prison, Cambridge, but it is thought that that Mr Maguire is likely to be transferred to Maghaberry Prison at some point this month.

Mr Maguire had originally applied for a transfer to Portloaise Prison in the Republic of Ireland, to be closer to his family, but all five of his applications have been rejected by the Irish Justice Minister, despite the fact that Mr Maguire is an Irish citizen in his own right and a holder of an Irish passport. In addition, all Mr Maguire's co defendants were eventually transferred to the Republic of Ireland, where they are serving out their sentences. The reasons that have been given to Mr Maguire by the Irish government for refusing his repatriation to Ireland have been unjustified.

After five unsuccessful attempts at applying for a transfer to Portlaoise Prison, Mr Maguire decided to apply for a transfer to Maghaberry Prison. However, earlier this year the Celtic League wrote to the (UK) Prisoners Cross Border Transfer and Foreign National Policy unit, after having learned that Mr Maguire's application to Maghaberry Prison had been misplaced by the authorities.

The League has been informed that Mr Maguire is very excited at the prospect of being transferred and it is unknown as yet if he will continue to apply again for a transfer to Portlaoise Prison. Maguire's case was supported by a wide range of rights groups and individuals

Link: www.noel-maguire.info

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

14/10/09