Ógra Shinn Féin sent the following letter to the US Consulate in Belfast, US Embassy in Dublin and to the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Irish Northern Aid and the Irish American Unity Conference, this week; supporting the release of Pól Brennan in the USA.A chara,
We are writing this letter to you to express the views of Ógra Shinn Féin, on the unjust detainment of Irish Political Prisoner Pól Brennan, who is currently being detained by US Homeland Security in Willacy County Processing Center, Raymondville, Texas USA.
It seems almost unbelievable that in 2008, Pól can be detained for what began as a minor bureaucratic mistake regarding a currently processing work authorization permit. This has now developed into deportation proceedings.
This is alarming to many people including Pól’s family and friends, his American wife, and elected representatives in the United States including Congressmen Peter King, Richard Neal, and Jim Walsh.
In 1983 Pól escaped from a British prison, in Ireland, notorious for human rights abuse and torture. He was a political prisoner, in prison for political actions in a quite extraordinary time in Irish history. He has since made his life in the United States, married and worked openly. He was allowed to remain legally in the US after the British Government withdrew extradition proceedings in 2000. I have no doubt in any other circumstances other than the north of Ireland in the 1970s and 80s, Pól would not have ended up in prison.
You will undoubtedly be aware that the past 10 years have seen overwhelming change in the north of Ireland. The Peace Process has continued and grown. As part of this we have seen the release of Political Prisoners, most from the very prison Pól escaped from, Long Kesh. Throughout this entire process the United States played a major role. Pól Brennan is no threat to the United States.
In the spirit of this, Ógra Shinn Féin ask you to use whatever influence you may have to secure the immediate release of Pól Brennan; and allow him to fight his case against deportation fairly.
Is sinne le meas,
Barry McColgan
National Organiser
Ógra Shinn Féin
Cllr. Johnny McGibbon
National Secretary
Ógra Shinn Féin
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