Comments on The Pensive Quill: Struggle for Political Recognition Will Continue

Alec and Fionnuala: Thanks.

2011-03-01T01:35:33.218Z

Alec and Fionnuala:

Thanks.

Helen, I never thought you intended any offence. H...

2011-02-28T19:37:26.424Z

Helen,
I never thought you intended any offence.
However, we all need to be very cautious especially in relation to the prisoners.
Maybe taken some of my own advice about caution, considering i'm only out of the 'sin bin' yet again.

Helen apology accepted, however, you should be ca...

2011-02-28T15:52:15.462Z

Helen

apology accepted, however, you should be careful who you listen to and where you repeat such unfounded stories.

Anthony, Alex, Fionnuala: If that is how my post ...

2011-02-28T02:41:16.048Z

Anthony, Alex, Fionnuala:

If that is how my post came across about the prisoners, I apologize. That was not my intention.

All I can say is this is what I have been told by a few very reliable sources. I can't prove it, but I do trust the people who told me that.

My concern is, if there have been informers and plants throughout the history of the republican movement, than why not in prisons too? I am not accusing anyone and I certainly didn't mean to offend anyone either.

I'm just concerned that if there is to be a 'viable' alternative to PSF" going forward, as Fionnuala pointed out, than how will that be achieved with all the in-fighting that goes on not only there but here in the USA as well?

Helen Would you explain wht you mean by the follo...

2011-02-27T22:24:15.633Z

Helen

Would you explain wht you mean by the following, As we all know, the republican wing of the prison is riddled with British operatives."?

If you're referring to the prisoners then what do you base this scurrilous remark on?

Helen, Lack of unity amongst Republicans certainly...

2011-02-27T18:16:48.730Z

Helen,
Lack of unity amongst Republicans certainly adds to the theory that there is no serious viable or comprehensive alternative to Sinn Fein.
I'm not sure I quite grasp what is going on in the prison.
I'm also not sure about the British operatives theory?
I just know these republican prisoners are very deserving of our support and it would be very helpful if we could be told how to go channel our condemnation and support.

Helen, 'As we all know, the republican wing o...

2011-02-27T13:13:15.273Z

Helen,

'As we all know, the republican wing of the prison is riddled with British operatives whose job is to cause dissent among the republican prisoners and it looks like they are succeeding.'

What does this mean? I presume the operatives you refer to are prisoners? If so it is a very strong statement likely to provoke strong opposition.

When you say 'as we all know' it is the first I knew of it.

FYI: Gerry McGeough will be sentenced on March 18t...

2011-02-27T12:47:34.417Z

FYI: Gerry McGeough will be sentenced on March 18th.

The notice I posted here was sent to me by someone...

2011-02-27T12:46:42.064Z

The notice I posted here was sent to me by someone who wanted me to know what Gerry McGeough may be facing now that he is in Maghaberry? No prisoner, regardless of the offense or political association, should be treated in this manner.

As we all know, the republican wing of the prison is riddled with British operatives whose job is to cause dissent among the republican prisoners and it looks like they are succeeding. Something else I find troubling is that some organizations, supporting the ipows, add fuel to the fire with their “selective support.” In my opinion, support of ipows should be all inclusive regardless of political association. I also feel that there is no excuse for all this in-fighting among the ipows and they need to stand united with each other. If they don’t they are only playing into the hands of the Brits and psf. The wake up call here should be the fact that Adams won in the south and life moves on regardless of what is happening in or out of prison in the north. The GFA has turned into a very sad state of affairs and all this in-fighting (in and out of prison) will not help to move the cause forward. Adams and company have all secured their positions in life and they are leaving all of the good people in their wake.

I do not wish to appear rude, but until all these republican groups/organizations come to the reality that they ALL need one another and need to work together in order to achieve their common goal of a reunited Ireland; they are all just 'pissing in the wind'. Sorry.

MartyDownUnder, Thank you, and I have found it too...

2011-02-27T09:58:50.763Z

MartyDownUnder,
Thank you, and I have found it too. I only allude to it to show that there are problems within Roe that are far from as simple as 'non conforming' or , by implication 'conforming'.

The political prisoners should never lose faith or...

2011-02-27T09:32:58.912Z

The political prisoners should never lose faith or heart in the Irish people. I remember the early days of The Blanket, with only ten to twenty people showing up at protests and meetings, and mostly they were our relatives. It takes time to gather people as one. And as for the screws, I have always advocated that there is only one way of dealing with such vermin, and it's certainly not verbal.

Jim, I've found the statement didn't reali...

2011-02-27T03:25:42.638Z

Jim, I've found the statement didn't realize there has sadly been a split within the prison. Fail to understand what good can come of it as they've a hard enough time getting the message out and dealing with the prison regime. Again the statement is too long to post here and rather than break it up it can be found by searching for
Maghaberry Republican Prisoners collective statement 22/2/11

Alec, no, I am making no such suggestion as your p...

2011-02-27T00:55:44.297Z

Alec, no, I am making no such suggestion as your post is completely in line with the ststement issued by 6 prisoners and the letter or letters issued by individuals of those 6.
There are about 24 other prisoners, though, and I think it is important that we know what they are saying too.

Thanks, MartyDownUnder, but that's not the sta...

2011-02-27T00:20:56.283Z

Thanks, MartyDownUnder, but that's not the statement I am looking for; the rest of the republican prisoners in Roe House, Maghaberry, issued a statement and I can't get my hands on it. It gave another perspective, a very different one, on the issue of what is happening in there.
When I find, and somebody must have an address for it or a copy, it I'll stick it up.

I think Jim is referring to a statement which appe...

2011-02-26T23:53:33.192Z

I think Jim is referring to a statement which appeared on the IR.NET forum recently. I trust he is not suggesting my contribution is unbalanced.

Jim, Been trying to post the document up, but ap...

2011-02-26T22:56:40.946Z

Jim,

Been trying to post the document up, but appears to be too long. It can be found here though:

http://republicanprisonersmaghaberry.com/default.aspx

How much of this information is getting out to the general public? How many column inches are devoted to it in the Andytout or The Irish News? The prison conditions would most likely be an embarrassment to SF (especially now with all these new found votes in the south) and given that they are actively encouraging people to inform and thus lead to imprisonment of these republicans it'd be an issue they are actively contributing to.

Does anybody have a copy of a statement which came...

2011-02-26T20:16:06.143Z

Does anybody have a copy of a statement which came out from Maghaberry last week claiming to be from the other prisoners? It might be useful to have it too in the interests of balance and debate.

Wonder how a certain Ass Gov from the Malone road,...

2011-02-26T18:52:13.819Z

Wonder how a certain Ass Gov from the Malone road,would like to be force stripped,and made to make his way,to his second home in the glens of Antrim. Willie

If I may deviate away from this thread just to let...

2011-02-26T18:22:08.231Z

If I may deviate away from this thread just to let all know;
Rosemary Nelson murdered 15th March 1999
Rachel Corrie murdered 16th march 2003.
On 13th March 2011 at 7pm at the Atrium, Conway mill Belfast.
We will remember Rosemary and Rachel and women who have fought for justice through the years.
Speakers;Bernadette Mc Aliskey-Tom Dale,

Helen, This story is similiar to a lot of stories ...

2011-02-26T17:40:58.272Z

Helen,
This story is similiar to a lot of stories which I have been reading through recently.
Thirty ago women were experiencing this lewd and degrading treatment in Armagh prison, as were the men in the H Blocks.
Father Raymond Murray the prison Chaplin wrote at the time,
'This degrading practice offends the dignity of the human person, which is enshrined in all international codes of human rights.'
I'm sure Father Murray would reiterate those same sentiments in relation to the prisoners in Maghaberry, why then are our local 'mainstream republican' politicans and activitists not reiterating the same thing?

Very good article, Alex. What depressed me the m...

2011-02-26T17:00:21.200Z

Very good article, Alex.

What depressed me the most were the words;

'Sadly, for reasons that are not entirely clear, the “prisoner’s collective” which successfully negotiated the settlement has dissolved into cliques to the detriment of all.'

It seems there are forces at work sowing division in the gaol and outside.

The main focus of Republicans must centre on not allwoing these divisions to occur.

I showed this post Helen to a few ex pows and one ...

2011-02-26T15:38:14.189Z

I showed this post Helen to a few ex pows and one said that the bastards should be nutted, well its an understandable opinion, but personally if the powers to be are going to allow such degrading and inhuman treatment be meted out to republican prisioners, then rather than bite the dogs tail imo those who own the dog should be held accountable, treating people in such a disgracefull manner does not deter those inclined to use force,if anything it makes them more determined,and increases support among the nationalist population,which is the complete opposite effect of these disgusting actions ,

Alec, It was only a matter of time before this iss...

2011-02-26T15:09:09.745Z

Alec,
It was only a matter of time before this issue raised its very ugly head again.
Sadly, what is taking place inside the prison is the direct result of the negative ambience deliberately created by politicans and many former prisoners, now determined that no-one will deviate from the status quo.
The criminalisation policy has been allowed to bed in. People have been conditioned into believing the propaganda, that those who are now imprisoned are deviant and should be treated as such.
Over a hundred years of prison struggle and we are back to this, what a legacy!

I was sent this the other day and thought it appro...

2011-02-26T14:40:42.559Z

I was sent this the other day and thought it appropriate to share it with everyone.

The Derrry Sovereignty Movement posted and would like it distaributed as widely as possible.

Derry 32CSM and have given permission to have it published.

POW torture in Maghaberry –Letter from D.D Mc Laughlin-Emotive, upsetting &graphic Hello everyone. I’m just back from the court. I was twice subjected to forced strip searches today. That was my tenth forced strip in the last twelve weeks . I’m also out t...o court next Tuesday so that will be another two. Today I was brought to the reception where the search team were waiting and forced into a 3ft x 3ft cubicle by two of them where I refused to strip. They laughed at me and said “He’s ready for it!” I was then brought to a holding cell and kept in there for about 50 minutes with a governor coming in twice to tell me their so called prison rules. (He could talk all day, I wasn’t for stripping and won’t be at any stage while I’m incarcerated in this place) All the while outside the cell the riot squad are getting ready. Suddenly the Cell door bursts open and in they come in full riot gear, Helmets, shields, body protection, the works. They ram the shield into my face, 2 of them grab my arms, another grabs my head, I’m forced to the ground - Arms forced up my back, 2 knees forced into my head to hold it down , 2 knees in the back of my legs… Then another one of them starts to force off my shoes, socks and trousers off. I’m then moved into a forced position so that my boxers are ripped down and my frontal private parts can be seen by them. I’m then forced back into a position where my boxers are completely forced off me and a hand held metal detector is ran over my backside. At this stage, it’s hard to breathe with their gloves covering my face and mouth. I’m still being held by four of them on the floor, my private parts exposed… Naked! Lying there! They then grab my boxers and jeans and force them up, hurting me .. leaving my private parts still exposed – They then move me into another awkward position to take my t shirt off… I think my arms are about to break in two ! It’s agony at this stage.. My wrists are just numb... Being twisted the whole time this is going on.. My shirt is now off.. I’m lying now with both my arms are forced up my back towards the roof while the riot squad run out of the cell.. My arms just drop to the floor.. I try my best to get onto my feet using my elbows , trousers hanging off me, boxers still below my private parts.. I’m aching all over ! I try to get dressed as the riot squad stand smirking at me. I just stare back at them. I think of the other things they have done to me in the past.. Forced strips, cut my clothes off, broke my nose, stood on me, forced me into squat positions, forced my mouth open by trying to break my wrist… I could go on! Well, that’s me on the way to court! As soon as I get to Laganside ( where I’m already an hour late because of the forced strip ) I’m brought straight to the court, cuffed, and haven’t seen my solicitor.. Adjourned again ! That’s me down now to a 6ft x 6ft cell to wait for a few hours.Then I’m brought back to the gaol where I go through the whole strip search ordeal again. Sitting in my cell now – My wrists, knees, ankles, neck, back, head, shoulders are aching.. One image going through my head is the faces of my friends who were waiting patiently for me to come back.. Colly, Harry, Brendy, Gerard, Kevin … It’s hard to explain the look on their faces but I can tell you that it’s one of the worst feelings in gaol seeing one of your friends coming back from a forced strip search, seeing them in pain ! I would take all of their forced strip searches rather than see them in this agony.. pain .. and I know they would do the same for me. That’s friendship that won’t be broken ! Well, slan for now, another Republican forcibly strip searched. D.D McLaughlin, POW, Maghaberry gaol

LOL Anthony to true a cara mind you I can think of...

2011-02-26T12:15:25.037Z

LOL Anthony to true a cara mind you I can think of a few places where those bastions of decency and rehabilitation could be better used what about cleaning out the sewers it would make them feel right at home with the rats.