Hughes Grant Watters Cumann Sinn Féin An Iúir: December 2010

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Disgraceful PSNI Tactics

Once again the Derrybeg Estate has been used by the PSNI TSG (Tactical Support Group) personnel to bring the area into bad press. After extensive enquiries and after speaking to many local people, the blame for what happened on Friday night lies firmly at the feet of those in charge of the PSNI operation on the night.

We were informed on Friday night that a "suspicious object" was discovered at the Camlough Road Roundabout resulting in the closure of many roads in and around this area. The "suspicious object" was not in or was it near the DERRYBEG ESTATE or CARNAGAT, so, therefor there was absolutley no need for heavily armed PSNI men in armoured land rovers to be anywhere near these areas let alone in them.

If the PSNI are serious about impartial policing then they need to work very hard with local people to address this serious issue which arises every time something like this happens on this road. From the accounts that we received from local people on the ground, the PSNI continually provoked young people (many as young as 10 years of age) by driving land rovers at them and deliberately parking in the middle of the road hoping for a reaction.

If this "object" was causing so much disruption, then, we would like to know how one of our elected reps was able to walk within yards of the slip road up onto the bypass, indeed an ambulance drove straight past the scene without being stopped or warned of the danger. We even had workers from a local factory making their way home unhindered. One resident from the area described the scene as a throwback to the 1970's.

We in Sinn Féin are determined not to allow a small number of PSNI members drag us back to a situation where young people are being antagonised into riot situations which then leaves them facing serious charges in the courts. The people of this area demand and deserve a proper police service and also demand to be treated no differently than people from other affluent parts of the town.

Local residents must be commended on their selfless actions in trying to quell what was a very dangerous situation. Sinn Féin is working hard on a daily basis to bring the PSNI to account on a range of issues and we recognise the efforts made by residents and applaud them. For those of us who have been about in the bad old days of the RUC we are determined to ensure that this area receives proper accountable community policing.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

'80-'81 Newry Hunger Strike Committee

Plans are well advanced for a number of events which take place over the coming months to commemorate the sacrifice made by protesting republican prisoners and their families during the dark days of the early 1980's in the H-Blocks of Long Kesh and also Armagh Women's prison. The first event takes place this Sunday 19th December at 5.30pm at Vol Raymond McCreesh Park, Patrick Street, Newry. Here, a candle light vigil will be hosted by the local committee to coincide with the ending of the first hunger strike. The date also marks the anniversary of local man Sean McKenna who took part in the initial hunger strike. Everyone regardless of their political persuasion is encouraged to come along and mark this unique event in our history. A letter from one of the women prisoners who embarked on the strike will be read by Newry ex-POW Eileen Hillen.

Grand Christmas Draw

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin Cumann are holding a grand Christmas Draw with two fantastic prizes on offer;
1st Prize Weekend For 2 People in Camden Court Hotel Dublin
2nd Prize 19" Flat Screen/DVD Combi
Tickets cost £10 Each and can be purchased at the Sinn Féin office or through any cumann member.
Draw will take place on 24th December

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Blog From Gerry Adams

Maghaberry PrisonTwo weeks ago a Sinn Fein delegation, including elected representatives Caral Ní Chuilín, John O’Dowd, Paul Maskey and Raymond McCartney visited Maghaberry prison to view conditions and meet with prisoners. Coiste Na nIar Chimí representative Michael Culbert was also part of the delegation. I had already discussed the Maghaberry situation with Minister of Justice David Ford and asked for clearance for the Sinn Fein prison visit. At the start of this week Martin McGuinness and Raymond McCartney MLA also met with him on this situation. In addition Caral Ní Chuilín MLA has also met and had several conversations by phone with the Head of Prisons in the north Robin Masefield.The news on Tuesday evening that Liam Hannaway had ended his hunger strike was therefore welcome news. He had raised a number of issues with the Sinn Féin delegation when they met him two weeks ago. These were discussed directly with the prison administration and the Justice Minister. It was clear from all the conversations that have taken place that with the necessary political will all of the issues relating to Liam Hannaway, and indeed the wider problems in Roe House can be resolved.The fact that another prisoner Harry Fitzsimons, who had been held in the punishment block, had now been moved back into Roe House was also a welcome development.It clear that there are problems with the regime in Maghaberry. Maghaberry has been the focus of a series of critical reports over a number of years.In 2006, an inspection made over 155 recommendations but more than half were never implemented. The most recent inspector’s report made over 200 recommendations and concluded that the current situation in Maghaberry could not be allowed to continue. Last year, the prison governor and his deputy were dismissed and 13 members of staff disciplined following an inquiry into the suicide of a prisoner in August 2008. Subsequent reports were highly critical of the way the prison was being run and disciplinary procedures were taken against prison staff who it was alleged were surfing the net and watching television rather than being on suicide watch.Four prisoners have taken their own lives in the last 4 years in Maghaberry.A new governor, brought in last July to implement reform, faced open hostility from staff. Following his car registration number and name being found in a prisoner's cell the governor resigned amidst fears for his safety. Subsequently the Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe was asked to carry out an investigation when it was alleged that a member of the prison staff planted the note in order to intimidate the Governor. Earlier this year, increasing tensions between staff and prisoners culminated in protests by a number of segregated prisoners, including a 48-hour lock-in of prisoners during Easter. Recently relatives of some of these prisoners have been in contact with Sinn Féin representatives in relation to the situation in Maghaberry. The Sinn Fein delegation that visited Maghaberry on May 14th had access to the segregated wing and met with ten prisoners representing various groups within Roe House. The delegation also met with the current governor, Alan Craig, and other members of the administration. The prisoners raised a number of issues. They included complaints about a number of punitive actions such as the use of strip-searching as harassment of both prisoners and their visitors and a range of other conditions-related issues that were very familiar to the former prisoners on the delegation. The prisoners cited one clear example of this. Despite the fact that it was obviously unnecessary, prisoners appearing by video link for remand were being subjected to strip-searches. The proximity of dogs in the visit processing area, the presence of the PSNI in the visitors’ area, the public identification of those who are to be strip-searched, and visitors being threatened with arrest if they refuse to be strip-searched, were also raised. The delegation assured them their concerns would be conveyed to the prison administration, the Prison Service and to the Justice Minister – and they have.Republicans have a long experience of prisons and of hostile and antagonistic prison systems. It is our belief that prisoners and their families must be treated with dignity and respect. Prisoners have rights and the prison regime should reflect this. There is currently a review taking place into the prison regime. It is our intention to continue to pursue all the matters involved with the Minister of Justice and the Prison system.
Posted by Gerry Adams at 4:42 PM

The following is a statement from Sinn Féin delegation who recently visited prisoners in Maghaberry

McCartney details Sinn Féin delegation visit and ‘serious concerns’ about Maghaberry situation

Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney was part of a Sinn Féin delegation which entered Maghaberry Gaol last Friday. The delegation included Mr McCartney, Carál Ní Chuilín MLA, Paul Maskey MLA and John O’Dowd MLA. The Sinn Féin team was accompanied by Michael Culbert of Coiste na nIarchimí.

The delegation reported back to the Sinn Féin Assembly Team on Monday morning.

Speaking after the visit Raymond McCartney described the meeting with Roe House prisoners as “a very positive engagement” in which the men had outlined their concerns.

“A range of issues were raised by the prisoners. They included complaints about a number of punitive actions such as the use of strip searching as harassment of both prisoners and their visitors and a range of other conditions-related issues that were very familiar to the former prisoners on the delegation,” said Mr McCartney.

“It was clear that with the right political will that all of these issues could be resolved. The delegation discussed all of this with the ten prisoners we met and assured them their concerns would be conveyed to the prison administration, the Prison service and to the Justice Minister,” said McCartney.

A number of matters concerned with the harassment of visitors were also raised by the delegation. These included the proximity of dogs in the visit processing area, the presence of the PSNI in the visitors-area, the public selecting of who is to be strip searched and visitors being threatened with arrest if they refuse to be strip searched.

Prisoners also raised issues of access, particularly the practice of forcing segregated prisoners to eat their meals in the cells.

“The delegation also met with Liam Hannaway whose health has become a matter of concern. Liam outlined his concerns, all of which centred on prison conditions and procedures. It was the firm belief of the delegation that all of these issues could be satisfactorily dealt with by the governor,” said Raymond.

The delegation had requested to meet with Harry Fitzsimmons, a prisoner being held in isolation, but this did not happen due to a misunderstanding.

“Harry’s lawyer contacted me last Saturday to explain the situation and assure me that his client was not in any way snubbing the delegation. The delegation had sought to visit Harry after his family raised concerns about his health and well being,” said Mr McCartney.

It has also been reported that Harry Fitzsimmons has been subjected to physical assault by members of the prison staff.

“After our 3 hour meeting with the prisoners, the delegation met with the governor again to outline their concerns and suggestions. In the coming period Sinn Fein will meet with the director general of the prison service, with representatives of the prison administration as well as the Minister for Justice, David Ford, regarding our deep concerns about the current situation for prisoners and their families in Maghaberry,” he concluded.

Óglach Edward Grant Died for Ireland on 24th December 1973

The Hughes Grant Watters Sinn Féin cumann remembers with pride Volunteer Eddie “Starchie” Grant who died in an accidental explosion at Clarkes Bar (now known as the ArmaghDown) on Monaghan Street on Christmas Eve 1973.

Eddie came from a staunch Republican family. His cousin Paul Smith died at Edentubber in 1957 and his uncle John McEnerney was a Vice Commandant of the 4th Northern Division IRA. When Eddie first decided to offer his services to the Republican cause, he attended several meetings in the Republican Club with his friends, but he quickly decided that his loyalty lay with the Provisional IRA. No task was too great for Eddie and he was always to the fore when volunteering for active service.

Óglach Eddie Grant died with his friend and comrade Óglach Brendan Quinn from Cloughreagh in Bessbrook.

A permanent reminder of the sacrifice made by Eddie and his comrades stands pride of place at Second Avenue, Derrybeg Park which was erected by members of the local cumann along with the help of residents from the area.

A wreath from the cumann was carried and laid by Eddie’s brother at the new monument in August.

Volunteer Eddie Grant will be remembered always by his friends and comrades in the Hughes Grant Watters cumann Newry.

Óglach Brendan Quinn Died for Ireland on 24th December 1973

Óglach Brendan Quinn died for Ireland in an accidental explosion at Clarke’s bar (now the ArmaghDown) on Monaghan Street, Newry. His friend and comrade Óglach Eddie Grant along with a customer in the bar were also tragically killed.

Three weeks before his death, Brendan had to go on the run. But in the family tradition, he returned with the intention of spending Christmas with them. On Christmas Eve morning, he left home in Cloughreagh, never to return alive.

As a fitting tribute to Brendan the local Sinn Féin cumann at Derrymore, Bessbrook are named after Brendan and another comrade Óglach Henry Fegan also from that area.

Volunteer Brendan Quinn is remembered always by his friends and comrades in Newry Sinn Féin.

Dangerous Dumping

It has been brought to our attention that there has been a number of incidents whereby materials for a bonfire have been dumped very close to houses in the Meadow. In one case a van left a load of wooden pallets before driving away. Residents whose houses back onto the garages at Derrybeg Drive are fearful of the consequences of this material being put on fire. There are also a lot of tyres being stored here and we will be contacting the environmental department to get this material removed as quickly as possible. There are still a small minority of young people in the community who are intent in causing grief for residents. Bonfires are a thing of the past and are being used as cover to cause mayhem and devulge in anti social behaviour. We would appeal to residents to note the registration of the vehicles being used to dump these materials in the estate and pass it onto us as this is a serious case of illegal dumping.

Hughes Grant Watters Cumann Sinn Féin An Iúir