Dáil debates

Wednesday, 26 June 2013

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions

Prisoner Welfare

1:45 pm

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While the question is specifically about Mr. John Downey it also concerns another Irish citizen, Michael Burns, who was arrested in similar circumstances. The two Governments should not underestimate the anger these arrests have caused among Republicans and people across the island. The arrests were in breach of the Good Friday Agreement, Weston Park and the commitments made by the British Government at that time. John Downey and Michael Burns received confirmation letters from the NIO in 2007 stating that they were not wanted by the PSNI or any British police force for any offence and that they were therefore free to travel. Does the Minister accept that arrests like these undermine the confidence placed in the police service and the justice system and reduce the value of solemn agreements made by all parties, particularly both Governments?

They are not isolated incidents. There are other vindictive and hostile cases which we have discussed in this House, involving Marian Price, Padraig Wilson, Gerry McGeough, Martin Corey and others. There are two aspects to these cases, one is the political aspect in the clear breach of the Agreement. The second is that it is also having an impact on Mr. Downey's family. He has been in jail for six weeks and his family has not had access to him. His local representative, Deputy Pearse Doherty, has been refused a representational visit. A neighbouring MP, Pat Doherty, has been allowed to visit but has been told that he will not be allowed to make a similar visit in future. Clothes were sent in but it was a week before he got them. There is a lot of vindictive behaviour in this case. An Phoblacht was banned because of its Irish content despite the fact that other prisoners do not seem to have a problem receiving other foreign language newspapers. It is having an impact at the political level and the family level.

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