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Friends and Comrades,
Can I begin today by thanking the organizers of today's event for their kind invitation to speak. We in the Republican Socialist Movement are no strangers to the type of tactics that are currently being employed against Seamus Doherty. Since our formation thirty years ago, the leading lights in our movement have been assassinated and taken out of circulation. We had the killing of the founding father of the IRSM, Seamus Costello, gunned down by counter revolutionaries in Dublin just three years after he helped form the IRSM. We suffered through the prison struggles of the late seventies and early eighties losing men on hunger strike while many more suffered degrading and dehumanizing treatment at the hands of the sectarian and hate filled screws. We had members arrested, tortured and put on trial for the Great Train Robbery in Sallins, Co. Kildare, despite there being no evidence for such charges. These men were detained by the infamous "Heavy Gang", which was the 26 county's answer to militant revolutionary republicanism. We also lost many members through the failed Supergrass show trials of the early eighties and, in 1987 and again in 1996, the IRSM was forced to defend its members from outside attacks, which were inspired by sinister forces from the so-called security forces. The reason I am mentioning the attacks on our movement is to provide inspiration to the friends, family and supporters of Seamus Doherty. Because despite these attacks on our movement, we have come through them more determined and stronger than before to reach our goals. Despite all of this, the IRSM has stood firm. We have come through all these attacks from various agencies of the British and Irish states. Seamus Doherty is undoubtedly a victim of the British state, fitted up and left to rot in Maghaberry. So too is Dessie O'Hare, an INLA prisoner from Armagh who is currently being held hostage by the Free State regime, in contravention of agreements that they themselves have signed up to. We in the IRSP are sure we can depend on your support in the campaign to free Dessie. To members of the wider nationalist community who continue to ignore the plight of Seamus and others like him, we have this to say, "It is time to wake up and smell the coffee, the new PSNI is just the RUC in a new uniform. Their actions in the continuing incarceration of Seamus is proof, if any was needed, that the RUC cannot be reformed into something that is acceptable to the people of this city and across the north. This sectarian paramilitary force has nothing positive to offer the people of this city. The cheerleaders of this force, such as Denis Bradley and other puppets in the District Police Partnerships, are attempting to put a gloss on the PSNI and to make them more acceptable, whatever that means. We say here loud and clear, the reformed RUC, under the guise of the PSNI, will never be acceptable to the people of this city! We would also like to reiterate the belief of the IRSP that the British establishment has no fundamental right to imprison any Irish person. We seldom hear this sentiment expressed. No matter what charges are brought, they are brought illegally by British police and British court system in an occupied Ireland. And to Seamus, his family and friends, we offer our unconditional support. Seamus is suffering the same oppression that we are all too familiar with, but we are sure that self-belief exists and that this determination will win through. We have watched and supported the campaign to win Seamus' freedom and we admire the determination and energy that exists within that campaign, which gives us confidence that Seamus will be home soon. Thank you. DERRY IRSP
Seamus Doherty solidarity in Sweden Members of Ireland Information Group in Sweden held a picket outside the British embassy in Stockholm, the 23rd of October, in solidarity and support of Seamus Doherty and the campaign for his release. Photos of the picket can be found here or visit us at http://www.irlandinformation.org
Spokesperson, Next week, will be a very difficult time for Seamus' family, friends and supporters. On Monday of next week, Seamus' legal team will seek further disclosure of material which the prosecution refuses to provide. On Tuesday, his defense will present a case of abuse of process, and if this fails, Seamus will go to trial on Wednesday. This case will be heard in a dip-lock court, which will not provide Seamus with a fair hearing. We, as Republicans, are well accustomed to this process and know that decisions taken by this body are political motivated. Regardless of the outcome of next weeks' deliberations, we pledge to continue our Campaign until we secure Seamus' unconditional release. We have only one message for those that continue to hold him as a political hostage and that is, "we are not prepared to be silenced and the name of Seamus Doherty will remain a thorn in your side". Our thoughts and prayers are with the Doherty family at this very difficult time, but we hope that they take comfort from our pledge to continue the Campaign, until we see Seamus released from captivity. Spokesperson for the Free Seamus Doherty Campaign. STATEMENTS ENDS |
