Settlement reached in Maghaberry

News broke at 5 o'clock that the Republican POWs have succeeded in their attempts to win 2 basic demands (an end to controlled movement/right to free association and end to strip searches). At that time they were in the canteen taking off beards and cutting hair, most of them seeing each other for the first time since the protest began at Easter time.

Victory to the POWs!!!
TÁL!!!

Republican Sinn Féin salutes Republican POWs

RSF news - Republican Sinn Fein - http://rsf.ie Republican Sinn Féin
Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill,
223, Parnell Street
Dublin 1, Ireland

Sinn Féin Poblachtach
Teach Dáithí Ó Conaill,
223 Sráid Pharnell, BÁC 1, Éire

For further information contact:
Des Dalton:
President: 086-329 1809
Kevin Devlin:
Assistant Publicity Officer: 085-1382049


Press Release/Preas Ráiteas



Republican Sinn Féin salutes Republican POWs

Statement by the President of Republican Sinn Féin Des Dalton

Republican Sinn Féin salutes the Republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison
on securing their right to political status. This victory for the
Republican prisoners was secured as a result of a courageous and
single-minded struggle, a protest which they maintained since Easter Sunday
April 4.

By their actions the Republican prisoners delivered a message, which
reverberated, throughout the world that British rule in Ireland will never
be normal or acceptable.

We would also like to commend the mediators who facilitated this settlement
for the diligence, integrity and commitment shown by them over the past
number of weeks.

Críoch/Ends. ​

Family & Friends Statement

The Concerned Families and Friends group welcome the latest developments in the ongoing dispute within Maghaberry prison. After three weeks of intensive negotiation the British have agreed to change the punitive and vindictive regime republican prisoners were forced to endure.

We are relieved that our prisoners are no longer hostages to the whims of the Loyalist Prison Officers Association and share in the joy and relief of the prisoners’ families who have endured years of stress and turmoil and vindictive harassment at the hands of the screws.

We pay tribute first to the courage and integrity of the republican prisoners who took a stand and challenged the Thatcherite policies of the Stormont regime and endured the punishments of a vindictive British prison system which tried in vain to crush their spirits.

We also pay tribute to all those people who worked away quietly in the background and lobbied intensively for a resolution to the prison crisis. A diverse collection of community, political, religious and business people took time out of their busy schedules to devote time and effort to contribute to finding a resolution to the crisis in Maghaberry; they done this privately away from the publicity of the camera.

We are particularly indebted to the herculean efforts of the negotiation facilitators who have spent practically all of the past three weeks in Maghaberry prison working to bring this day about. They were at times frustrated and at other times angry with the slow and obstructive pace of events but they held in there and created the space where a deal could be constructed. For their efforts we are truly grateful and appreciative.

To all those people who marched, protested, attended pickets and registered their support for the prisoners’ plight: go raibh mile maith agat! It was you who made this day possible. ​

 

Got a text from a lad in Strabane about this around about 4.40pm, At least thats them off the 'dirty protest' after over 100 days. The conditions in there are terrible

32CSM Sligo Statement

Republican prisoners secure victory in maghaberry protest

by Sligo Csm on Thursday, August 12, 2010

Victory for the prisoners in Maghaberry

The 32 county sovereignty movement in Sligo would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the men in Roe house in Maghaberry prison on this successful resolution to the ongoing struggle for political status and humane treatment for republican prisoners.
It is important to recognize that it was not the behaviour of the prisoners that initiated the situation in Roe but rather the brutal treatment meted out to them by the Loyalist thugs that make up the POA. It is inconceivable that the ongoing attempts to brutalize and harass the men in Roe are not fully approved of by the higher echelons of the prison service. It is with caution therefore that we greet this latest development, words will not suffice in this case and it is now up to the prison officers to carry through on the pledges made. It is also important to note that this victory was not achieved through the British government or any of their occupational institutions "granting" anything. Rather it was wrested from them through the dedication, hard work and stamina of both the Prisoners and the many groups that offered them support throughout this ordeal. The harassment of the prisoners families must also be acknowledged as a particular grievance that must come to an unequivocal stop. The attempts to criminalize the republican struggle has failed as it historically always has. It would be naïve to suggest that this represents the death knell of that particular policy but republicans at this point can at least take comfort from the fact that another attempt to break the back of the republican resistance through attacks on the prisoners has failed. We send our support to the men in Roe house and have no doubt that the impressive levels of support for their protests will be emulated in the months to come in further protests against the internment of republicans.
Beir Bua
12/ 10/ 2010 ​

 

Strabane is some spot!

 

great news,tiocfaidh ar la

 

Strabane is Gods country.Well done to the dissident lads i didnt think they would pull it off.

 

Dissident? Didn't think they'd pull it off?

Tae it you're a sinner

 

good news

 

Not really i just dont expect much when it comes to the dissidents lol but im well happy they got there in the end.

 

I expect nothing else of them, having written and spoken to men in there I know how are steadfast they are and how dedicated they are to their beliefs. Sure I suppose Gary Donnelly was on hunger strike for the craic was he?

 

I spoke with Gary not that long ago after he got out, he tells some story of inside there alright, It really is some state, this seems like the first small step on a big ladder for the POW's

 

It seems that way mate, but the first step is always the hardest, hopefully the rest will fall into place.

 

tiocfaidh ar la Fair play lads.

 

Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association.
12/08/2010

IRPWA welcomes resolution of prison protest.

The IRPWA welcome the news that the protest in Maghaberry prison has been resolved to the satisfaction of the Republican POW’s. We thank all those involved in facilitating this resolution and we pay particular tribute to the prisoners, their families and all those who supported them over the course of the protest. While we are conscious that previous resolutions arrived at by the POW’s and the authorities have not always lasted due to bad faith on behalf of the British we are confident that with good will on all side this agreement can be made to work. ​