IRSCNA: Free Dessie O'Hare Now!
national |
crime and justice |
press release 
Saturday October 22, 2005 04:24
by IRSCNA
irscna at irsm dot org
PO Box 8266, Austin TX 78713-8266, USA
The Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America adds its
voice to the call for the government of the 26 Counties of Ireland to
immediately release republican socialist prisoner of war Dessie O'Hare
from Castlerea Prison and we support the solidarity actions taking
place today in Ireland to highlight his case.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 October 2005
Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America
Free Dessie O'Hare Now!
The Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America adds its
voice to the call for the government of the 26 Counties of Ireland to
immediately release republican socialist prisoner of war Dessie O'Hare
from Castlerea Prison and we support the solidarity actions taking
place today in Ireland to highlight his case.
Since 1988, Dessie O'Hare has been serving a 40-year sentence for
kidnapping, the longest sentence in the history of the 26 Counties for
any offence other than capital murder. He meets all of the
requirements for the early release scheme of the Good Friday
Agreement, which even the government of the 26 Counties recognises,
yet he remains imprisoned.
The actions for which Dessie O'Hare was convicted and sentenced were
committed before 1998 as part of the war against British occupation.
He is a recognised member of the Irish National Liberation Army, which
has been on ceasefire since 1998. Under the terms of the GFA, he
should have been released no later than 2000, yet five years later he
remains in prison.
Although the Irish Republican Socialist Movement doesn't support the
GFA, the government of the 26 Counties does. That same government has
repeatedly stated that the GFA is the only way forward, yet it refuses
to uphold the terms of that agreement where Dessie O'Hare is
concerned. It has also forced him to undergo psychiatric examinations,
something no other prisoner has had to do to qualify for early
release. Despite being cleared by the government's own psychiatrists,
he remains in prison.
The IRSCNA says to the government of the 26 Counties, enough of the
game playing. Uphold your responsibilities as mandated by the Good
Friday Agreement and free Dessie O'Hare now!
###
Irish Republican Socialist Committees of North America
PO Box 8266
Austin TX 78713-8266
USA
irscna@irsm.org
http://www.irscna.org/
http://www.irsm.org/irsm.html
Comments (3 of 3)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3Between 40 and 50 activists took part in the protest today on the main Derry-Donegal border crossing at Bridgend. People travelled from North Derry, Tyrone and Dublin in support of the call to have Dessie O'Hare released. Members of the Free John Brady Campaign also participated in the protest and leaflets were handed out giving the background to both campaigns.
Thanks to everyone who took part and hope to see you all the next event.
Free Dessie O'Hare Campaign
Press Release
Members of the Free Dessie O'Hare Campaign today held a very successful protest along the main border crossing between Derry and Donegal at Bridgend. Up to fifty activists were joined by members of the Free John Brady Campaign and leaflets were handed out highlighting both men's current cases of injustice.
Armagh Republican Dessie O’Hare has been in prison since 1988. He was sentenced to 40 years in jail for a non-capital offence. The Free Dessie O'Hare Campaign remains confident and are increasing our campaigning efforts for the immediate release of Dessie O'Hare. To date Dessie O'Hare has spent over 17 years in Portlaoise and Castlerea gaols however under strand three of the 'Belfast Agreement' its states that, all prisoners whose organisations are on ceasefire will benefit from the early release scheme.
Dessie O'Hare is a recognised Irish National Liberation Army political prisoner of war. Therefore, as the INLA is an organisation which is currently on ceasefire, Dessie O'Hare must benefit from this early release scheme just as others have. The Irish government has already declared Dessie a qualifying prisoner yet they refuse to free him. The Campaign calls on Free State Minister of Justice Michael McDowell to immediately free Dessie O'Hare from his illegal incarceration.
The Free Dessie O'Hare Campaign ask all those concerned with justice both nationally and internationally to help assist Dessie O'Hare to obtain his right to freedom.
Support Dessie! Write letters of protest demanding justice for Dessie O'Hare under strand three of the 'Belfast Agreement'
Irish Justice Minister, 72-76, St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2, Ireland. email: minister@justice.ie
McDogwell is the representitive of the justice dept and the regressive fascists. Under their constitution the President is the protector of the constitution, She has the power to grant a pardon. Is that not what happened with Nicky Kelly?
What has Mary McAleese to say about this?
O'Hare was a recognised member of I.N.L.A, he is entitled to release under the good friday agreement. To continue to detain him is clearly an injustice.
whether we agree with his politics or not, he is being unjustly and illegally treated and should seek recognition from amnesty international.
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