PRC-UTE
23rd March 2009, 04:44
Colin Duffy to refuse food: Statement from Duffy Family
COLIN DUFFY -A CASE OF TRIAL BY MEDIA
OPPOSE THE NEW FORM OF INTERNMENT
In the immediate aftermath of the fatal shootings in Antrim and Craigavon, the media and some local politicians hysterically engaged in what can only be described as frenzy of finger pointing and ‘felon setting’.
As each politician and reporter attempted to outdo the comments of each other regarding who may have been responsible, a deliberate picture was painted that resulted in the media and politicians identifying who ought to be arrested. Our family member Colin was one of those and, in due course, the PSNI obliged.
Colin’s arrest came as no surprise to us, his family. Due to the unsubstantiated comments made by sections of the media and by Stormont politicians, it was our great fear and worry that he would be ‘set up’ as a scapegoat. Our family’s concerns and worries have been reinforced by two very important facts that both the media and politicians have failed to report or comment upon.
Firstly, Colin was visited at his home four days home before his arrest by the PSNI to inform him that a threat had been made on his life. The PSNI photographed Colin at his front door.
Why did the PSNI not arrest him then?
Secondly, following his arrest, Colin’s legal representative was astounded to be informed that the arrest was “not based on evidence”. In the absence of any evidential basis for his arrest, it is clear that the PSNI had other sinister motivations for detaining him.
It is the view of his family that the PSNI’s motivations are based upon sheer vindictiveness and also as a reaction to the media frenzy.
It was similar vindictiveness, spurred on by a hostile media, which led to the wrongful arrest and lengthy imprisonment of innocent people in the past such the Birmingham Six, the Maguire Family and the Guildford Four. More recently, we have witnessed, in the cases of Sean Hoey and Chris Ward exactly what the PSNI are capable of.
How many more people will be wrongfully detained for prolonged periods of time under the new form of internment before someone says “Stop, not in my name’?
While the Duffy family are calling for Colin's release, we are also fully aware that there are others detained under the current British legislation which can hold them for 28 days. We would like to take this opportunity to call for their immediate release also.
Colin has now been detained since Saturday March 14th. In an attempt to bring this ‘farce’ to an end, he is now refusing to take food in order to highlight the injustice he is suffering.
We have all been down this road before and know where it can end unless true leadership is shown.
Justice is a right. It is not a gift to be given or removed from citizens by a police force acting at the behest of local politicians and the media.
Please do whatever you can to ensure that Colin receives justice NOW!
STAND UP FOR JUSTICE
COLIN DUFFY -A CASE OF TRIAL BY MEDIA
OPPOSE THE NEW FORM OF INTERNMENT
In the immediate aftermath of the fatal shootings in Antrim and Craigavon, the media and some local politicians hysterically engaged in what can only be described as frenzy of finger pointing and ‘felon setting’.
As each politician and reporter attempted to outdo the comments of each other regarding who may have been responsible, a deliberate picture was painted that resulted in the media and politicians identifying who ought to be arrested. Our family member Colin was one of those and, in due course, the PSNI obliged.
Colin’s arrest came as no surprise to us, his family. Due to the unsubstantiated comments made by sections of the media and by Stormont politicians, it was our great fear and worry that he would be ‘set up’ as a scapegoat. Our family’s concerns and worries have been reinforced by two very important facts that both the media and politicians have failed to report or comment upon.
Firstly, Colin was visited at his home four days home before his arrest by the PSNI to inform him that a threat had been made on his life. The PSNI photographed Colin at his front door.
Why did the PSNI not arrest him then?
Secondly, following his arrest, Colin’s legal representative was astounded to be informed that the arrest was “not based on evidence”. In the absence of any evidential basis for his arrest, it is clear that the PSNI had other sinister motivations for detaining him.
It is the view of his family that the PSNI’s motivations are based upon sheer vindictiveness and also as a reaction to the media frenzy.
It was similar vindictiveness, spurred on by a hostile media, which led to the wrongful arrest and lengthy imprisonment of innocent people in the past such the Birmingham Six, the Maguire Family and the Guildford Four. More recently, we have witnessed, in the cases of Sean Hoey and Chris Ward exactly what the PSNI are capable of.
How many more people will be wrongfully detained for prolonged periods of time under the new form of internment before someone says “Stop, not in my name’?
While the Duffy family are calling for Colin's release, we are also fully aware that there are others detained under the current British legislation which can hold them for 28 days. We would like to take this opportunity to call for their immediate release also.
Colin has now been detained since Saturday March 14th. In an attempt to bring this ‘farce’ to an end, he is now refusing to take food in order to highlight the injustice he is suffering.
We have all been down this road before and know where it can end unless true leadership is shown.
Justice is a right. It is not a gift to be given or removed from citizens by a police force acting at the behest of local politicians and the media.
Please do whatever you can to ensure that Colin receives justice NOW!
STAND UP FOR JUSTICE