boiler
19th December 2013, 20:55
This letter was wrote by the sister of Republican Prisoner Tarlach McConnell. She wrote about her disgust at the Irish Free State and it's prison system, and her concerns for her brother's health.
"I would like to express our family’s growing concern following another refusal by Port Laoise Prison to recognize my brother’s human rights.
As recently reported in the Irish News the Free State repeatedly refused my brother an MRI brain scan. He was eventually diagnosed with a serious brain condition. His condition requires surgery that may leave him permanently disabled.
On diagnosis, promises of healthcare were made however an angiogram has since been cancelled prolonging our anxiety further. The symptoms of his condition are severe while the stress of “bleeding out” in prison is acute.
Along with the denial of healthcare and for almost 2 years the Free State has refused to grant my Brother his right to transfer to Maghaberry. A transfer is necessary for contact with his children and family as well as post treatment care.
Some weeks ago my Brother was advised by fellow Republicans to apply for a period of Christmas Parole. This was a test of his status in the eyes of the state against others involved in his trial. The state has granted co-accused in his trial up to 17 periods of parole including a period of 4/5 days Christmas leave every year since they were sentenced. My Brother who has always contested his innocence has never received a day’s parole.
We believe the state’s refusal to treat my Brother as an equal to others involved in his case is further evidence of his innocence. We believe that permissions granted to others which are denied to him is either a reward to others for something unexplained or a punishment for my brother contesting his innocence.
Why are my Brothers Human Rights being breached? Why are others in receipt of special terms of sentence while my brother is refused basic health care and the right to transfer?"
"I would like to express our family’s growing concern following another refusal by Port Laoise Prison to recognize my brother’s human rights.
As recently reported in the Irish News the Free State repeatedly refused my brother an MRI brain scan. He was eventually diagnosed with a serious brain condition. His condition requires surgery that may leave him permanently disabled.
On diagnosis, promises of healthcare were made however an angiogram has since been cancelled prolonging our anxiety further. The symptoms of his condition are severe while the stress of “bleeding out” in prison is acute.
Along with the denial of healthcare and for almost 2 years the Free State has refused to grant my Brother his right to transfer to Maghaberry. A transfer is necessary for contact with his children and family as well as post treatment care.
Some weeks ago my Brother was advised by fellow Republicans to apply for a period of Christmas Parole. This was a test of his status in the eyes of the state against others involved in his trial. The state has granted co-accused in his trial up to 17 periods of parole including a period of 4/5 days Christmas leave every year since they were sentenced. My Brother who has always contested his innocence has never received a day’s parole.
We believe the state’s refusal to treat my Brother as an equal to others involved in his case is further evidence of his innocence. We believe that permissions granted to others which are denied to him is either a reward to others for something unexplained or a punishment for my brother contesting his innocence.
Why are my Brothers Human Rights being breached? Why are others in receipt of special terms of sentence while my brother is refused basic health care and the right to transfer?"