Michael McKevitt - Justice Denied Irish Republican Prisoners By Michael Holden IRPSG. Support Group n June 22nd 2006 a sixty page document was pub- Newsletter No. 3 May 2016 Suggested Donation 50p O lished by a committee charged with exposing the PO Box 59188, London NW2 9LJ, [email protected] framing of Michael McKevitt who was at that time serving a 20 year sentence in . The foreword in this document was written by the renowned human rights activist and clergyman Desmond Wilson. Wilson made it The IRPSG is a group of comrades who campaign for political status for Irish political prisoners. We include those in politi- clear he was convinced beyond doubt that the prisoner Mi- cal organizations and campaigns like the Mumia Abu-Jamal campaign and other individual anti-imperialist activists. We chael McKevitt was not only innocent but the victim of a campaign for political status for ALL Irish Republican political prisoners regardless of political affiliations. Our pickets have frame-up, and laid the blame fairly and squarely at the door- been supported by many Republican and leftist organisations. step of the Garda Siochana (Irish police), the British Special Branch MI5 and the American FBI. he struggle for political status and implementing the ernment of Ireland Act and in July of that year its character “Reasonable people,” Wilson wrote “will read this ac- T August 2010 Agreement in Maghaberry, particularly on was defined by the massive pogrom by neo-fascist forces count of what is happening to Michael McKevitt with a the ending of strip searching and the use of the Boss chair, who drove 10,000 nationalist workers from the shipyards mixture of sadness and anger.” He went on to say - i.e. for the civil rights of Republican POWs in the north of and 1,000 women from their workplaces by murdering 53 “people who value good legal systems and appreciate the Ireland and the Republic, goes on. As seen in this Newslet- under hails of Belfast Confetti, metal disks, nuts, bolts and courage of those who struggled to create them will read it ter the struggle in Ireland is by no means unique. In Pales- big ship rivets. James Connolly’s carnival of reaction, so with deep disappointment.” We know now that has certain- tine and Libya, in Turkey and India huge numbers of anti- accurately foreseen by him, came into being just four years ly been proven to be the case. imperialist prisoners are held, often without charge under after his execution. The injustice openly displayed during the McKevitt trial horrific condition of deprivation and torture. Today the Irish Tricolour and the Easter Lilly are banned was clear-cut even to those with only a basic knowledge of In Sri Lanka prisoners have been detained for 8 to 20 in the north. They are seized in Maghaberry and Poundland the legal system in either Britain or Ireland. All through years as suspected supporters of the separatist Liberation had to withdraw them from sale in its Donegal Place store Ireland’s long and tragic history justice was never consid- Tigers of Tamil Eelam under the draconian Prevention of “following complaints from customers” i.e. local Loyalist ered an important factor by those in authority, and this was Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations, many of thugs. Weatherspoons in the north were forced to take never clearer than at this trial. Police informers are hated whom have never been charged in court. down the tricolour from its display during this year’s Six and detested everywhere and none more so than in Ireland had (according to themselves) obtained ‘circumstantial and And we highlight also the prisoners held in the imperialist Nations Rugby championship. - even by those who pay them. Yet at the McKevitt trial the coincidental’ evidence against some suspects. heartlands of the USA and Britain. Mumia Abu Jamal and On 3 May the IRPWA tells us that: Irish state had no qualms using and paying a notorious in- a local businessman was tried and convicted but quickly Leonard Peltier, an innocent Black man and a Native Amer- Republican Prisoner, Kieran Lavery started his former imported into Ireland from the USA to give per- released when it was revealed the Guarda (Irish police) had ican incarcerated for decades although the whole world yesterday the Riot Squad entered his cell, forcibly strip searched jured evidence at this trial which resulted ultimately in the actually forged the interview notes used in his case. Another knows of their innocence and have named streets, roads and him and then moved him to the CSU. Kieran is now on the wrongful conviction of Michael McKevitt. ‘suspect’ Sean Hoey was also put on trial and found not parks in their honour, as the world did for . Punishment Block held under rule 32. As Kieran is a former The informer in this case was David Rupert - a well- guilty - and had the case against him thrown And the innocent British Black men and other held on Joint Roe 4 Prisoner transferring him to the Republican Landing Enterprise legislation which the Supreme Court have just should not have been the difficult and lengthy process it has known criminal and petty crook with a history of embezzle- out! been; leading you to conclude that the administration’s refusal to ment. He was a career informant who had worked for the It was against this background of muddle and incompe- ruled had been ‘wrongly interpreted” for 30 years. The IRPSG will be participating in the march called by the move him is a deliberate attempt to isolate him… IRPWA sup- FBI for thirty years. Despite this knowledge the Irish state tence that the McKevitt case was eventually conducted. Mi- port Kieran’s stance and call for his immediate transfer to the agreed to use this man and convince others to believe the chael McKevitt was never at any time questioned about JENGbA on 16 May. Republican Landing. But our main focus has always been support for Irish Re- testimony he would give at the trial. events in Omagh. In fact the charge against him was of Fifteen people were held on 4 May after the funeral of IRA vol- During his paid sojourn in Ireland Rupert claimed he for- ‘directing terrorism’ - the usual catch-all charge when there publican anti-imperialist POWs fighting against British oc- unteer Micky Barr in Strabane for wearing of uniforms. He was warded all what he considered to be relevant information to is no evidence of anything else. His trial turned into a farce cupation of the six north-eastern counties of Ireland and for a former republican prisoner and inmates in Maghaberry and his paymasters in London. He told MI5 that a republican and he was forced eventually to dismiss his council and re- Irish unity. Portlaoise prisons cancelled all visits to the jails yesterday as a group planned to bomb the town of Omagh in County Ty- fused to appear in court for sentencing. He was found On the centenary of the 1916 uprising that revolution re- mark of respect. rone and on August 15th 1998 an explosion did occur in guilty and sentenced to twenty years imprisonment. It’s mains unfinished. The illegitimate state dubbed ‘Northern Lastly we must highlight the Justice for the Craigavon Two Omagh resulting in the deaths of thirty one people and worth mentioning here that when the informer David Ru- Ireland’ was formed by the British government’s 1920 Gov- Campaign and the sterling work they have done to highlight many injuries. pert was first approached by MI5 his response was - “tell this appalling A subsequent inquiry established that the Irish, British me what to do, make it worth my while, and as long as the injustice. As ever and American intelligence services had information prior to benefit overrides risk in my view it will be done to the best the justice system the bombing which could have prevented it happening - of my ability.” And so it was! of the illegitimate despite telephone warnings being given forty minutes be- Michael McKevitt was released from Portlaoise prison on state forced on forehand. But the RUC (deliberately or otherwise) moved Easter Sunday 2016 but his campaign for justice is on-going the Irish people people towards the bomb - instead of away from it - and and his case will eventually be heard at the European Court in 1920-23 dis- claimed later the information known to the intelligence ser- of Human Rights. So far he has waited sixteen years. Jus- plays its bias and vices had not been relayed to them - even though intelli- tice delayed is justice denied. We wish him well and every disregard for the gence headquarters GCHQ had been monitoring the con- success. international versations of the alleged bombers as they drove the bomb “THERE MAY WELL BE TIMES WHEN WE FAIL norms of fair into Omagh town. The Police Ombudsman Report later TO PREVENT INJUSTICE, BUT THERE MUST trial. “Any Paddy slammed the RUC’s own investigation. will do” is the NEVER BE A TIME WHEN WE FAIL TO PRO- What transpired afterwards became a farce. The RUC attitude. TEST.” ANOTHER VICTIM OF INSTITU- TIONAL RACISM! SARAH REED Irish Republican Prisoners Support Group List of POWs FOUND DEAD IN POLICE CELL Please correct and update prisoners’ list

• Pierce Moran • Eugene Kelly E1: Limerick Real SF • Barry Petticrew • Sea- • Danny McClean Maghaberry Prison • Bernard Dempsey • Noel Mooney • Dean Fitzpatrick mus Kearney • Kieran Lavery Old Road • Dessie Christie Non-INLA E4 • Stephen Fogarty Ballinderry Upper • Aidan Coney Hydebank Wood • Gavin Coney • Brian Quinn • Michael Mc Hugh • Joseph Kirwin Lisburn Hospital Road • Bob Day • David Murphy • Buddy Nolan • Mark McGuigan BELFAST BT8 BT28 2PT • Martin McGilloway • Nick McBennett E2: • Ken O’Reilly ROE 4: IRPWA (CSU) 8NA • Ciaran Burke • Patrick Tierney Mountjoy Prison • John Paul Wootton ROE 3: Cabhair • Sharon Rafferty • Willie Jackson • Dalton McKevitt North Circular • Brendan McConville • Ciaran Collins Portlaoise Prison • Stephen Hendrick • Joe O’Brien Road, Dublin 7 • Martin Kelly • Gabriel Mackle Dublin Road • Dean Evans: • Charles Anthony Deery • Pat Barry • Tarlach Mac • Eugene Mc Loone Portlaoise, Co • Tony Carroll • Garret Mulley Magilligan Prison Dhomhnaill • Martin McLoone • Brian Walsh • Paddy MacDonald he JFTC2 committee held its Laois Point Road, Co Derry What’s wrong with • Barry Concannon • Willie Wong • Nick Kendall • David Gallagher BT49 0LR AGM on 2 February, outgoing Portlaoise (E3 and E4) T • Jason Ceulemans ROE 3: Cogús • Brian Cavlan E2: Unaligned • Tony Friel chair Packy Carty went over the work • Eddie McGrath their conviction? • Damien Harkin • Phil O’Donnell • Kevin Devlan • Colin Brady carried out in 2015 and the large vol- A Black woman who was subject to police brutality and • Kevin Braney Dóchas Centre, ● The prosecution’s key witness, • Neil Hegarty • Eamon Cassidy • David Rocket • John McGreal ume that is already mounting up for whose assault by a police officer was caught on camera has • John Brock North Circular witness M, despite having a prescribed • Nathan Hastings • Conor Hughes • Tom Hughes E1: Unaligned 2016. been found dead in her cell at Holloway prison in London. • Declan Phelan Road, impairment of his sight, claimed that • Thomas Mellon • Ta McWilliams • Michael Finlay • Davy Jordan • John Daly In keeping with the new sharing of Sarah Reed was falsely arrested for shoplifting in November he seen Brendan McConville at a • Christopher O’ Kane • Gerard Flanagan • Dean Byrne • Michael Barr • John Keogh Dublin 7 work and democratic rotation within distance that would be medical impos- 2012. PC James Kiddie was caught on CCTV dragging her by • Seamus McLaughlin • Kevin O’Neill • Sean Connolly • Cormac Fitzpatrick • Finton O’Farrell Éirígí the committee Packy Carty stepped sible, the hair while punching her repeatedly in the face. Such was • Gerard McManus • Robert O’Neill • Hubert Duffy E4: Teach na Fáilte • Declan Rafferty • Ursula Ní Sheanáin down as chair and called on the com- ● It took witness M almost a year to the ferocity of the attack that a fellow police officers provided • Kevin Barry Nolan INLA • Seán Ryan (Ursula Shannon) mittee to elect a new chair for 2016. come forward with this information key evidence against Kiddie. The Wootton and McConville fami- and since that date he has been given Kiddie was eventually dismissed from the Police Service after 30 YEARS OF GETTING THE LAW WRONG. BUT THAT’S OK lies nominated outgoing sectary and anonymity and provided for in protec- popular campaigner Joanne Donnelly tive custody. having been found guilty of assault and initially suspended. INNOCENT PRISONERS, SOME AS YOUNG AS 13, HAVE BEEN who was then elected unanimously ● Witness M’s eye-witness account Sarah who was convicted of shoplifting over the incident has GIVEN LIFE SENTENCES FOR CRIMES COMMITTED BY Joanne leads the campaign into a described Brendan as wearing a coat suffered from mental health issues ever since the sudden OTHERS. ON 18th FEBRUARY 2016 THE SUPREME COURT crucial year. Both Brendan and John of a different style and colour from death of her new-born baby in 2003. It was whilst a patient RULED THE LAW TOOK A WRONG TURN. IT’S TIME TO Paul’s legal teams will soon submit that presented by the prosecution, that she was detained under Section 3 of the Mental Health FREE THE INNOCENT! JOIN US ON OUR BIGGEST MARCH applications for the Criminal Cases ● This coat, recovered within hours Act that her family says Sarah suffered a sexual assault in YET! Review Commission to investigate the of the shooting, was dry yet the Maudsley hospital in 2014. Date: Monday 16th May 2016 Craigavon Two case as a miscarriage weather conditions at the time were The family reported to Lee Jasper, a leading race relations of justice. rainy, activist, that Sarah had been a victim of an attempted rape Time: 2pm Place: Victoria Coach Station (opp. main entrance) Joanne and the committee call on all ● The forensic examination of this who have helped us to redouble their coat and the fire-arm recovered after and that when she fought off her attacker, injuring him, the Marching to 10 Downing Street to hand in petition. efforts in the year ahead. It is crucially the shooting did not match, staff called the police and arrested her. The fact that she had BRING YOUR BANNERS, YOUR LOVED ONES PHOTOS & important we bring public pressure to ● Although multiple sources of previously challenged a racist and violent police officer who TARIFFS AND WEAR RED! JENGbA (Joint Enterprise – Not Guilty bear to help overturn this gross mis- DNA were found on the coat only was later sacked has led the family to strongly suspect that she by Association) carriage of justice that continues to Brendan’s were followed up on, was targeted for arrest under any pretence as an act of retribu- rob two families of their loved ones ● A tracking device that had alleg- tion. and robs two men of their freedom. edly been planted on John Paul’s car According to Lee ‘this in addition to the obvious fact that she The recent phenomenon that is the by MI5 and was used as evidence to was clearly mentally ill, placing her on remand in jail, without Netflix series Making a Murderer has place us at the scene of the shooting, recourse to the medical help she clearly needed, was an unfor- put miscarriages of justice on the went ‘missing’ for a period of time, public agenda, we have seen a re- only to be returned in an altered state givable act of brutality and cruelty’. The family have been told newed interest in Brendan and John and “with data missing”, that she ‘strangled’ herself. Paul as a result of this. JFTC2 will use ● Although the assault rifle and However given the treatment she has received and the institu- this period of interest to intensify the several rounds of ammunition used in tional racism endemic in the police force it is hardly surprising campaign for Justice for the Craiga- the shooting were recovered no fo- that the family are extremely suspicious and desperately need von Two. rensic link was made with either of us. to know what happened. More on: leejasper.blogspot.co.uk JENGbA Petition: To David Cameron avid Cameron please abolish the common law there are thousands of people imprisoned for life for D of Joint Enterprise and replace it with a fairer crimes committed by others? These men, women form of justice for everyone. Also please reform the and children - some as young as 13 - have been con- tariff system in Schedule 21 of the Criminal Justice victed of murder, despite the fact that prosecutors and widely criticised, yet this government has failed to tion will also seek to reform the tariff system in Act 2003 to reinstate the power of discretion back know they didn’t kill anyone. This epidemic is act. Joint Enterprise has been left largely unchecked Schedule 21 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. This into Britain’s judges and proportionality back into known as Joint Enterprise and was highlighted in and unregulated until our campaign brought the gov- denies judges the discretion to sentence on the basis the sentences they impose. Jimmy McGovern’s BBC drama, Common. ernment to account. This petition will help us to force of genuine culpability and results in unfairness, partic- the government to abolish this unjust law and replace ularly to defendants convicted under the doctrine of Why is this important? What if we told you that people (including politi- cians) know all about it, that it is widely discussed it with a fairer form of justice for everyone. This peti- joint enterprise. Did you know right now, in 21st century Britain,