Davy Hyland welcomes Marian Price, Gerry MCeough, Martin Corey motion

Cllr Davy Hyland response to motion submitted to Newry & Mourne District Council by cllrs P McDonald and M Murphy

The motion reads as follows: " That this council calls for the immediate release of of Marian Price, Martin Corey and Gerry McGeough. Everyone is entitled to due process. Both Marian Price and Martin Corey have been denied this. Their continued detention without trial is an infringement of their human rights and clearly undermines the justice system. their imprisonment is unjust and is in defiance of rulings by the courts in both cases. Both have been granted bail by the courts and yet remain in prison.

the arrest and continuing detention of Gerry McGeough represents  a flagrant breach by the British Government of its commitments in the Weston park Agreement woth respect to OTRs.

All three should be released immediately"



As an independent republican councillor who has been campaigning on behalf of republican prisoners and their families for some time, i very much welcome, support and endorse this motion. The basic infringement of natural rights is clearly a serious humanitarian issue and any help or support for their cause is clearly welcomed.

Martin Corey from Lurgan was released from gaol in 1992 having served 19 years and was arrested once again in April 2010 and held without trial, ie internment, ever since.

In July of this year his release was ordered by Judge Seamus Treacy who recognised that Martin’s human rights had been violated and infringed upon under article 5 of the said act. However Patterson, the British secretary of state, over ruled Treacy’s findings and insisted that the republican should remain in gaol. During the hearing it transpired that the so-called evidence against Corey was so secret that not even Justice Treacy was allowed to see it. The book of evidence given to him was an empty book with the words “the secretary of state, states that this evidence exists”, a truly colonial and imperialistic mindset if ever there was one!!!!

Patterson is now gone and his predecessor hasn’t said or done anything to the contrary and hence Martin Corey remains imprisoned, having not been charged with anything.

Marian Price from Belfast is another internee. Jailed in the 1970s she suffered from 200 days of horrific forced feeding. She has, more recently, been interned for over 500 days (1 ½ years) on a spurious charge. Having been imprisoned and isolated in an all-male prison she is now being held under armed guard in hospital suffering from pneumonia and numerous other health problems- there is a distinct possibility that this middle aged woman will die whilst in prison under the most flimsy of charges. Has Britain not learned anything from the experiences of 1981 when ten republicans lost their lives in Long kesh???

Is Britain determined to repeat the deadly mistakes of the past???

However it is really important to remember that the three named prisoners in this motion are not the only victims of the gaol scandal. In Maghaberry over 40 other republican prisoners have been forced to go on “dirty protest” fighting for political status in filthy squalid cells without the most basic of needs.

They are locked up approximately 23 hours a day, denied education, free association and all the rights associated with political status. They are still being stripped searched despite the fact that body scanners have been introduced and utilized in other prisons and yet there exists an agreement, facilitated by independent observers, that could end all of this suffering in the morning.

It was reached in August 2010 but for some strange reason David Ford reneged on it and it currently sits on the Stormont ministers desk gathering dust.

I want to finish by urging the councillors who are proposing this motion to not only use words but to follow their words with actions. No one can deny that they are a well organised party and hence they should and must mobilise their members, their support base and indeed their voters to actively protest against the injustices being inflicted upon Republican prisoners and political hostages held in British prisons.

Hopefully this motion will be supported by all within this chamber tonight and following it i would like to see a delegation of Sinn Fein, SDLP and independent councillors, and even unionist Councillors, to visit the prisoners and see at first hand the real conditions which they and their families and friends are enduring. Anyone who undertakes such a visit will come away from that prison with a much different view and interpretation of prison conditions in the six-counties.

Could i finish with a perspective from the republican prisoners themselves.....”We are currently engaged once more on a protest against conditions imposed on us that do not befit a republican prisoner of war. We cannot and will not be criminalised for actions of resistance to British rule in Ireland. The republican prison struggle has a long and turbulent history. The core and only reason there are republican POWs is British rule in Ireland. While this remains there will always be republican prisoners and until our demands are met our protest goes on”

SF councillor “couldn’t give a toss about the unions”

Independent republican councillor for Newry and Mourne Davy Hyland has accused Sinn Fein of adopting an anti-working class agenda following comments from a Sinn Fein councillor in the council chamber attacking the Trade Unions.

During the meeting Sinn Fein councillor Brendan Curran stated that he “couldn’t give a toss about the unions”. The disgraceful comments were made during a Staff and Policy meeting on Tuesday afternoon.

Following the meeting councillor Davy Hyland said “The comments made by councillor Brendan Curran at this meeting were disgraceful and totally unacceptable. The Trade Unions provide a valuable service for the hundreds of thousands of workers they represent across the country. They provide support, advice and assist the workers when dealing with employers. I suspect the workers represented by the unions won’t be too pleased with this verbal attack by an elected representative.

"Sinn Fein claim to be for a socialist republic, yet their actions and now their words say otherwise. Some of our most notable Trade Unionists have included Jim Larkin, who coincidentally lived in Newry for a number of years, and James Connolly, both were union leaders. One only has to study the writings and words of Connolly to see how far councillor Curran and Sinn Fein have changed. Indeed outside Liberty hall, once the headquarters of the Irish Transport and General Workers Union and currently home to SIPTU’s offices in Dublin, a magnificent statue of James Connolly proudly stands while in O’Connell Street stands a statue dedicated to Jim Larkin. Now Sinn Fein elected representatives are saying they “couldn’t give a toss” about the type of workers organisations Larkin and Connolly helped found and lead.

"This type of anti-working class language will come as no surprise to many given Sinn Fein’s role in the right-wing coalition implementing Tory cutbacks through Westminster’s Stormont administration".

"Sinn Fein, as a party, should publicly state their position on the unions, do they support them? Or like councillor Curran could they “not give a toss about the unions”? If Sinn Fein claim to support the unions then clearly Brendan Curran is at odds with the party he represents".

Hyland calls for the release of Cllr Louise Minihan

Independent republican councillor for Newry and Mourne, Davy Hyland, has called for the immediate release of éirígí Dubin City councillor Louise Minihan who was imprisoned today after being arrested in her Ballyfermot constituency.

In 2010 Louise took part in a paint protest against the then health minister Mary Harney, during which Louise poured red paint over the minister. This resulted in Louise being arrested, charged and subsequently convicted of assault and criminal damage. Louise was given a two month suspended sentence and received a €1,500 fine which at the time she made clear she would not be paying.

Davy was speaking after travelling to a protest in Dublin with several other republicans from Newry. The well attended protest was held outside Mountjoy Prison where Louise could be held for up to seven days.

Davy said “Firstly i want to send my full support and solidarity to Louise Minihan, her comrades in éirígí and her family. Louise’s actions were in defence of the working class against an onslaught of savage government policies. When Louise took direct action against Harney she explained to her that the red paint she had just poured over her represented the blood that she and the rest of the Dublin government have on their hands as a result of the cutbacks to healthcare.

“During minister Harney’s reign she earned the well deserved title of the “Minister for Death”. Cllr Minihan should be commended for her actions, not punished.

The Newry and Mourne councillor continued “I’m proud to be here at this protest with dozens of fellow republicans demanding the release of Louise. The people who should be jailed are those who are responsible for, and who implement, these anti-social policies rather than punishing people like Louise who stand up for, and defend, the working class against them.”

Cllr Davy Hyland Harassed by PSNI

Independent republican councillor Davy Hyland has slammed the PSNI after he was stopped and questioned by them last week along with a number of other members of the public. The elected representative was stopped and questioned by the PSNI using section 21 of the Justice & Security act outside Newry City Hall after he had checked on the welfare of three members of the public who were being harassed. Davy explained “I noticed a man, his wife and sister in-law being harassed by the PSNI outside Newry City Hall. As an elected representative and friend of the victims i approached to check on their welfare. “I was then harassed and questioned, my movements were recorded and my identity noted. The PSNI members in this patrol were very aggressive and bullish. I’d like to know what was achieved by harassing those people and myself ?” Davy continued “No doubt the PSNI will come out with the usual generic response about tackling “crime” etc. I’d like to know what “crime” was prevented by taking the details and recording the movements of an elected councillor? If anything it’s blatant harassment and also an intelligence gathering exercise.” “In Newry we have éirígí members being tortured as well as men, women and children being regularly stopped and searched, arrested and assaulted and now elected councillors can be added to the list of victims. Hyland concluded by saying “It’s obvious that the PSNI can do as they please and harass people at their leisure, they are a completely unaccountable force and should be treated with nothing but contempt.

"Maghaberry crisis reminiscent of the blanket protest" - Hyland

Independent republican councillor for Newry & Mourne, Davy Hyland, has commended the organisers of Tuesdays [June 5] peaceful and dignified protest in Newry which was organised to highlight serious human rights abuses being inflicted upon republican prisoners in Maghaberry.

Despite the extreme weather over 70 people took part in the event which called for an end to forced strip searching and internment of republican prisoners such as Marian Price and Martin Corey. Indeed recently UN appointed human rights doctors were refused access to Hydebank to examine Marian Price who is seriously ill.

Despite the event being peaceful and dignified the protesters found themselves being surrounded by scores of PSNI members with a number of the participants being threatened for trying to walk on a public footpath.

Speaking after the protest Davy said “I would like to commend the organisers for holding this peaceful protest. The situation in Maghaberry could be best described as a crisis. We have republican prisoners on 23 hour lock-up, and being beaten and forcefully stripped naked by riot clad screws, on top of that they are protest with beards and long hair which is reminiscent of the blanket protest. There are also numerous political prisoners being effectively interned by remand and by having licenses revoked.

“These type of human rights abuses were wrong in 1971, they were wrong in 1981 and they are wrong today in 2012.

Hyland continued “While the protest was a success it was unfortunate to see Mayor Casey’s comments of condemnation. He has no problem condemning a peaceful and dignified protest against human rights abuses, yet he remains noticeably silent about the torture and suffering which led to the protest being organised.

“During his term the Mayor has done absolutely nothing to highlight the internment, torture, strip searches and beatings that are commonplace in Maghaberry, i haven’t seen one single statement from him about this serious situation nor have i seen him attend any of the many events that have been organised in the Newry area over the past few years”.

Davy concluded “I pledge to do everything in my power to raise awareness and to highlight the dire situation that republican prisoners find themselves in. I would urge everyone who is opposed to, and concerned about, these serious abuses to attend any events that are organised in their areas and to speak out against the torture.

“In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends” – Martin Luther King Jr

Davy Hyland - "British Army haven’t Gone away you know"‏

Independent republican councillor for Newry and Mourne, Davy Hyland, has voiced his anger and concern over the continued operations of the British army in the six-counties.

Davy was speaking after it was recently revealed that the British army’s Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR) were responsible for planting a tracking device on a republican’s car.

Davy said “The British army are very active in the six-counties, people might not see them everyday but that doesn’t mean they aren’t here, lurking in the shadows. There are thousands of British combat troops garrisoned in military bases across the North. We are under foreign occupation, make no bones about that”.

“The revelations that a covert British army unit, the SRR, was involved in planting a tracking device on a republicans car is a worrying development. This particular unit are closely linked with the SAS and the 14th intelligence company who are well skilled in colluding with unionist death squads. How many more covert operations are being carried out against the republican community?

Hyland continued “British soldiers have also been involved in raiding homes across the 6 counties, including nationalist areas here in Newry and this was exposed by éirígí last year. At the time there wasn’t a single word of condemnation from the establishment parties. The same people who try and portray the 6 counties as a normal society, yet we are far from normal, we still have armed British soldiers on operations regardless of whether we can see them or not. The establishment parties might be happy that everything is ok as long as you can’t see British soldiers, but for republicans the British army is not welcome in any part of Ireland, under any guise, under any circumstances.

Greenore-Greencastle Ferry

Independent republican councillor Davy Hyland has said he is disappointed that sponsorship for the Greencastle-Greenore ferry has failed to materialise due to lack of support from certain councillors in Newry & Mourne District Council.

Davy said “This was a great opportunity that would have been beneficial for the area in terms of tourism and employment as it had the potential to create over 30 jobs.

“This would have provided an opportunity for tourists and members of the public to travel from Greenore in the South to Greencastle in the North using the ferry.

Davy continued “The Mourne Mountains are one of the most scenic and beautiful areas in Ireland and this would have had great benefits for the area. Given the high unemployment levels it would also have created much needed jobs for people.

“Hopefully in the future this project can be relaunched for the betterment of the area and local communities on both sides of the border”.

Davy Hyland Slams Ongoing Internment and Mistreatment of Republican Prisoners‏

Independent republican Councillor for Newry & Mourne, Davy Hyland, has spoken out against the internment and brutalisation of republican prisoners currently being held in Maghaberry.

Davy said “There are a number of republicans being held in Maghaberry including Marian Price, Martin Corey and Gerry McGeough. On top of being unjustly held captive some republican prisoners are not receiving the adequate medical treatment they require.

“Marian Price is apparently being held because her license was revoked by the British secretary of state, yet she was never released on license.

“Marian was granted a pardon due to ill health following a lengthy hunger strike and subsequent force feeding during the 1970s.  Today she now finds herself being held in solitary confinement in an all-male prison.

“Another republican prisoner, Martin Corey, is currently interned after his licence was also revoked by the British secretary of state. Martin Corey was released from Long Kesh in 1992 after spending 19 years in prison. In 2010 he was arrested, imprisoned and charged without trial.

“Gerry McGeough is in bad health with a heart condition and for him to be in prison on charges dating back to the 80s is ridiculous. It’s clear that Gerry isn’t getting the proper medical treatment which must be of grave concern for Gerry and his family.

Davy continued “It’s clear that republican ex-prisoners have a sword hanging over their heads and if they speak out against British occupation or if they don’t toe the line they will find themselves being returned to prison.

“Colin Duffy’s case is a perfect example of this. Colin was very vocal against the current establishment, and made no secret of his strong republican beliefs. Next thing he found himself arrested charged and imprisoned. Recently we saw Colin Duffy walking from Antrim court a free man. Colin was incarcerated in Maghaberry for almost 3 years on remand, this is a clear example of internment.

“To make matters worse we have the ongoing protest in Maghaberry against controlled movement and forced strip searches. The recent images of republican prisoners sporting long beards and long hair has brought the reality and seriousness of the situation home to many people. It’s an image we thought we would never see again. Ten men gave their lives in 1981 so that today’s republican prisoners would not have to suffer the same treatment they endured.

“Some Stormont politicians claim to be concerned about such cases yet they don’t seem to be doing anything about it except issuing the odd vague statement, despite the fact that some of them were once held captive by the British state, they clearly have short memories. They are the ones who gave David Ford the job of Justice Minister,  they put him in the position, so they have a lot to answer for.

“The Stormont politicians regularly harp on about leaving “the bad old days” behind us. Yet it’s clear that for republicans the bad old days have never went away.

“The fact that a British secretary of state, Owen Paterson, can revoke licenses as he pleases is proof who really holds power.

Cllr Hyland concluded by saying “As an elected representative, I personally call for an end to the torture and brutality of republican prisoners and for the full implementation of the August 2010 agreement which would bring this crisis to an end. The BOSS chair is already in Maghaberry so why aren’t they using it if the technology is there?

“If those in Stormont are really opposed to these injustices then they should walk out of the puppet assembly and join the numerous picket lines and rallies against these injustices that are constantly taking place.”

Roads and Paths need urgent repairs in Mullach Alainn- Davy Hyland‏

Independent republican councillor for Newry, Davy Hyland, has criticised the state of the road and footpaths in the Mullach Alainn area in Carnagat.

Davy explained “I was approached by several residents of this area who voiced concerns over the state of the road and footpaths. This housing development was completed over eight years ago and it’s totally unacceptable that the work has yet to be completed”.

“I met with a number of residents who told me that their cars could be damaged when driving over the potholes and manholes, which are sticking up above the tarmac. There is also the possibility that someone could trip the high kerbstones which rise inches above the level of tarmac, this could result in someone being seriously injured. I immediately contacted the Roads Service regarding this issue and i pledge to do everything in my power to help get this resolved”.

Hyland continued “I viewed the state of the road and paths myself and was shocked at the state they are in. I will keep the residents updated on any progress that is made.

Suicide Awareness and Prevention

Independent republican councillor Davy Hyland has said he is pleased the council has supported his proposal to organise suicide awareness and prevention initiatives in local communities.

The proposal was put before the council at Monday night’s monthly meeting.

Speaking after the meeting Davy explained “at the recent monthly meeting of Newry & Mourne district council, I raised the issue of the increasing levels of suicide in our communities. I highlighted the fact that this issue seems to be on the increase and has a terrible impact on families, friends and local communities. I called upon the council to organise suicide awareness and prevention initiatives in community centres and through local associations.“

Councillor Hyland concluded “I also felt that the councillors themselves should be attending classes on this issue as they often have to visit homes of the bereaved and their loved ones. I'd also like to commend the PIPs group who are doing sterling work on this emotive issue.”