Gerry Conlon (Guildford Four) demands release of Marian Price

GRMA

"To think that a process of law is being usurped by politicians in order to hold a woman, without her lawyers being able to see the accusations against her, is an abuse of justice, it is a human rights' issue.

"If there is evidence to say someone has committed a crime it should be placed before the court, their lawyer should have access to it and the accusations should be made open and public.

"Justice has to be fair, open and transparent and that it is why I am here. It is not fair, it is not open and it is certainly not transparent."

.....

"If Marian Price has a charge to answer it should be done in an open court, the evidence should be made available to her lawyers, it should not be secretive, because where does it stop.

"This is supposed to be a society that is evolving, not regressing, this is internment by remand."

Read on:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-20960397


I'm glad to see that the campaign to end Marian Prices internment is gathering pace.

I think Mr Conlon raises some good points, what is happening to Marian Price is unfair and unjust.

The authorities cannot be allowed to get away with it.

If we're serious about a new shared future injustices like what happened to the Guildford four and like what is happening to a very ill Marian Price at the minute need to cease

Death and Taxes

GRMA wrote: »

Read on:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-20960397


I'm glad to see that the campaign to end Marian Prices internment is gathering pace.

I think Mr Conlon raises some good points, what is happening to Marian Price is unfair and unjust.

The authorities cannot be allowed to get away with it.

If we're serious about a new shared future injustices like what happened to the Guildford four and like what is happening to a very ill Marian Price at the minute need to cease

She was only out on liciense, she should have stayed away from openly supporting terrorism and criminality. Well , let it be a lesson to all those out on liciense, stay clean or go back to jail.

Fratton Fred

If you are a convicted ira bomber, you only get released from prison if you support the peace process.

Marian Price obviously does not.

Tell me GRMA, you claim not to support the dissidents, so why are you so interested in Marian Price?

SoulandForm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

If you are a convicted ira bomber, you only get released from prison if you support the peace process.

Marian Price obviously does not.

Tell me GRMA, you claim not to support the dissidents, so why are you so interested in Marian Price?

Outside of defensive actions I dont think the Provisional campaign should have been supported, but the torture of Provisional Volunteers by the British state I think should be of interest to anyone who lives in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. I certainly dont support the militarist dissidents but the conditions in Maghaberry in Northern Ireland and the use of the Special Criminal Court down here should concern us.

And what exactly does the word "dissident" mean? I dont support the GFA. Infact Im opposed to it. Yet I dont support shooting police men, etc. The whole term is used to paint all those Republicans who reject the failed GFA as out and out mad bombers.

RandomName2

GRMA wrote: »

Read on:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-20960397


I'm glad to see that the campaign to end Marian Prices internment is gathering pace.

I think Mr Conlon raises some good points, what is happening to Marian Price is unfair and unjust.

The authorities cannot be allowed to get away with it.

If we're serious about a new shared future injustices like what happened to the Guildford four and like what is happening to a very ill Marian Price at the minute need to cease

Is anybody claiming that her original conviction as a bomber is unsound?

Oh fwiw I think Sinn Fein supports her release. :pac:

GRMA

Fratton Fred wrote: »

If you are a convicted ira bomber, you only get released from prison if you support the peace process.

Marian Price obviously does not.

Tell me GRMA, you claim not to support the dissidents, so why are you so interested in Marian Price?

Same reason Sinn Féin and Gerry Conlon are

Fratton Fred

SoulandForm wrote: »

Outside of defensive actions I dont think the Provisional campaign should have been supported, but the torture of Provisional Volunteers by the British state I think should be of interest to anyone who lives in the UK or the Republic of Ireland. I certainly dont support the militarist dissidents but the conditions in Maghaberry in Northern Ireland and the use of the Special Criminal Court down here should concern us.

And what exactly does the word "dissident" mean? I dont support the GFA. Infact Im opposed to it. Yet I dont support shooting police men, etc. The whole term is used to paint all those Republicans who reject the failed GFA as out and out mad bombers.

the thing is, Marian Price IS a convicted mad bomber, so if she doesn't support the peace process, then she is a potential threat.

GRMA wrote: »

Same reason Sinn Féin and Gerry Conlon are

Here's an idea, why not try thinking for yourself for a change rather than what Sinn Fein tell you.

hyperborean

She received 2 life sentences for her terrorist activities, She got out early and didnt take her oppertunity to walk the path of peace....

So common sense means she goes back to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence,

End of,

Throw the key away, she obviously wont learn her lesson.

My real issue here is that she actually got out in the first place, she should have been left to rot with the rest of the convicted murderers and terrorists.

JustinDee

GRMA wrote: »

Same reason Sinn Féin and Gerry Conlon are

Hypocritical populism?

Dr Turk Turkelton

WileyCoyote wrote: »

She was only out on liciense, she should have stayed away from openly supporting terrorism and criminality. Well , let it be a lesson to all those out on liciense, stay clean or go back to jail.

Never thought I would see the day where I would agree with a post by WileyCoyote but it has happened.

I concur.

GRMA

JustinDee wrote: »

Hypocritical populism?

Yeah calling for her to be released is populism...

are you serious?

GRMA

Fratton Fred wrote: »

the thing is, Marian Price IS a convicted mad bomber, so if she doesn't support the peace process, then she is a potential threat.



Here's an idea, why not try thinking for yourself for a change rather than what Sinn Fein tell you.

She's very ill and has badly damaged joints, especially wrists. I doubt she would be up to making bombs or planting them, and I doubt she would want to.

Just because there is a possibility someone might do something they should be locked up? Mass internment in west belfast? You proud of your countries horrendous human rights record and routine judicial stitch ups over the years?

I do think for myself, thats a rather pathetic personal attack. I agree with their analysis that what has happened to her is wrong. Just because I think she should be released does not mean I support her politics or any group she is in, 32CSM or whatever. I also agree with the SP and the ULA on Marian Price.

gallag

GRMA wrote: »

She's very ill and has badly damaged joints, especially wrists. I doubt she would be up to making bombs or planting them, and I doubt she would want to.

Just because there is a possibility someone might do something they should be locked up? Mass internment in west belfast? You proud of your countries horrendous human rights record and routine judicial stitch ups over the years?

I do think for myself, thats a rather pathetic personal attack. I agree with their analysis that what has happened to her is wrong. Just because I think she should be released does not mean I support her politics or any group she is in, 32CSM or whatever. I also agree with the SP and the ULA on Marian Price.

She has dabbled in bombs before and likes to incite hatred and encourage the armed struggle to continue. I dont want her free in my country. I would also hold this opinion if she was uvf/uda etc but something tells me you would not be calling for her freedom then?

Fratton Fred

GRMA wrote: »

She's very ill and has badly damaged joints, especially wrists. I doubt she would be up to making bombs or planting them, and I doubt she would want to.

Just because there is a possibility someone might do something they should be locked up? Mass internment in west belfast? You proud of your countries horrendous human rights record and routine judicial stitch ups over the years?

I do think for myself, thats a rather pathetic personal attack. I agree with their analysis that what has happened to her is wrong. Just because I think she should be released does not mean I support her politics or any group she is in, 32CSM or whatever. I also agree with the SP and the ULA on Marian Price.

it's amazing the number of people who have had their licences revoked that suddenly become "Ill". Just because she is not capable of making a bomb, I am sure she is more than capable of acting as a front for dissident republicans, or even passing on a bit of knowledge on how to make a few hundred kilos of fertiliser go bang.

She hasn't been locked up because there is a possibility she could do something, she did do something, she planted bombs that killed one man and injured hundreds more. She is currently serving a sentence for that but was allowed out under certain conditions. Conditions she has chosen to break.

why would Sinn Fein support a woman who has publicly denounced the peace process?

Maybe because she knows where the bodies are buried..http://www.argus.ie/news/adams-rejects-claims-that-he-sanctioned-old-bailey-bombing-3245665.html

JustinDee

GRMA wrote: »

Yeah calling for her to be released is populism...
are you serious?

Yes, I'm serious. She opposes the Shinners and they oppose who she stands for.
That's why.

GRMA

But how is it populist? Surely it would be more popular not to do anything?


Gallag, yes I would call for the release if a loyalist was in the same position.

I've tried to find out if any are but I dont know of any. if you do please say so.

Fred, they are calling for her release because they think her imprisonment is wrong. They have explained why many times. As have people like Clare Daly and now Gerry Conlon.

Nothing to do with bodies ffs, do you really think that?

Fratton Fred

GRMA wrote: »

Fred, they are calling for her release because they think her imprisonment is wrong. They have explained why many times. As have people like Clare Daly and now Gerry Conlon.

Nothing to do with bodies ffs, do you really think that?

Gerry Conlon has made a living out of being one of the Guildford four (in fairness, he is entitled to whatever he can get after losing half his life in prison) and is an ideal mouth piece when someone needs to shout about the nasty British justice system.

Clare Daly? who is she, ah yes, she is North Dublin's Richard Boyd Barrett. You want someone to protest, she's your girl.

Sinn Fein? because it is something for them to shout about and shows their "Grass Roots" that they are still anti British etc. It is also a nice way of keeping an ex comrade on side, in case, like her sister, Marian decides to talk to the press about her past life.

Marian Price is an embarrassment to the modern republican cause, but "New" Sinn Fein still isn't able to caste off the baggage of its past.

JustinDee

GRMA wrote: »

But how is it populist? Surely it would be more popular not to do anything?

There are a number of interpretations attempting to define the word 'populism'. I don't think you're getting any of them. The tack I have in mind is that of Stephen Cohen. This relates to their associating themselves, without commital, to a cause-du-jour with the aim of appearing even-handed and fair.

SoulandForm

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Clare Daly? who is she, ah yes, she is North Dublin's Richard Boyd Barrett. You want someone to protest, she's your girl.

Marian Price is an embarrassment to the modern republican cause, but "New" Sinn Fein still isn't able to caste off the baggage of its past.

There are important differences between Clare Daly and Richard Boyd Barrett; one of them being that she believes in a union of Ireland and the British mainland , but one under a Republican and Socialist system, which makes her actually a left wing Unionist unlike say PUP who pretend to be that while at the same oozing love for the Queen and her Army.

Also what exactly do you mean by the modern Republican cause?

SoulandForm

gallag wrote: »

She has dabbled in bombs before and likes to incite hatred and encourage the armed struggle to continue. I dont want her free in my country. I would also hold this opinion if she was uvf/uda etc but something tells me you would not be calling for her freedom then?

Her treatment though is just giving fuel to those on the Republican side who believe in continuing armed struggle.

GRMA

Fratton Fred wrote: »

Gerry Conlon has made a living out of being one of the Guildford four (in fairness, he is entitled to whatever he can get after losing half his life in prison) and is an ideal mouth piece when someone needs to shout about the nasty British justice system.

Clare Daly? who is she, ah yes, she is North Dublin's Richard Boyd Barrett. You want someone to protest, she's your girl.

Sinn Fein? because it is something for them to shout about and shows their "Grass Roots" that they are still anti British etc. It is also a nice way of keeping an ex comrade on side, in case, like her sister, Marian decides to talk to the press about her past life.

Marian Price is an embarrassment to the modern republican cause, but "New" Sinn Fein still isn't able to caste off the baggage of its past.

She's hardly on side considering she hates them and wont even meet them.

gallag

SoulandForm wrote: »

Her treatment though is just giving fuel to those on the Republican side who believe in continuing armed struggle.

Probaly best we let her out, appoligise and mabey a nice bunch of flowers. That will put a stop to it.

oscarBravo

SoulandForm wrote: »

Her treatment though is just giving fuel to those on the Republican side who believe in continuing armed struggle.

...who would immediately pack up their guns and go home if she were released?

Fratton Fred

SoulandForm wrote: »

Also what exactly do you mean by the modern Republican cause?

the one that believes a united Ireland will only come about through democratic means, not at the end of an AK47.

GRMA

The propaganda her mistreatment is giving disidents is one thing but the main thing is the issues Gery Conlan raises about fairness, transparancy and justice.

Does anyone have an opinion on those points, or is the fact that she is a republican mean that you dont care, or dont think she deserves those things?

It sets a dangerous precedent and people besides republicans may suffer in the same way

Chips Lovell

Am I reading this correctly?

She was sentenced to two life sentences for her involvement in the Old Bailey bombing. She was released on licence. She shared a platform at a rally, holding the speech for a man who threatened to kill police officers. Her licence was then revoked.

Fratton Fred

GRMA wrote: »

The propaganda her mistreatment is giving disidents is one thing but the main thing is the issues Gery Conlan raises about fairness, transparancy and justice.

Does anyone have an opinion on those points, or is the fact that she is a republican mean that you dont care, or dont think she deserves those things?

It sets a dangerous precedent and people besides republicans may suffer in the same way

you're flogging a dead horse here.

It is transparent, it is fair and is simply justice being carried.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-13404212

The secretary of state has revoked the release from prison on licence of Old Bailey bomber Marian Price.

Owen Paterson said he made the decision because the threat posed by Price had "significantly increased".

The only other people who may be affected in a similar way are those who are also out on licence and choose to ignore the terms of their release.

gallag

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Am I reading this correctly?

She was sentenced to two life sentences for her involvement in the Old Bailey bombing. She was released on licence. She shared a platform at a rally, holding the speech for a man who threatened to kill police officers. Her licence was then revoked.

Yep, terrible treatment. According to some her treatment is fueling the dissidents agenda.

GRMA

gallag wrote: »

Yep, terrible treatment. According to some her treatment is fueling the dissidents agenda.

Its certainly fueling it more than anything she did outside of jail in the last few decades

Fratton Fred

GRMA wrote: »

Its certainly fueling it more than anything she did outside of jail in the last few decades

what mistreatment? she is a convicted murderer who is spending time in prison.

GRMA

Fratton Fred wrote: »

what mistreatment? she is a convicted murderer who is spending time in prison.

Mr Conlon and others cover it quite well.


Many people have come out in support of her release including numerous county councils including Dublins council with the motion receiving cross party support. They want her released on humanitarian grounds.

Are the blushirts etc who voted in favour of that psuedo dissident supporters or whatever etc in your opinion? Rather than people genuinely concerned with the mistreatment she has recieved?

SoulandForm

GRMA wrote: »

Does anyone have an opinion on those points, or is the fact that she is a republican mean that you dont care, or dont think she deserves those things?

Its funny how the same people who want to appease the likes of Jamie Bryson and the Loyalist fleg rioters also want not an inch given to Republican militants.

Chips Lovell

Seems to me that saying more people will get killed if she stays in jail isn't a very convincing argument for letting her out, because it's a threat, not an appeal.

gallag

GRMA wrote: »

Mr Conlon and others cover it quite well.


Many people have come out in support of her release including numerous county councils including Dublins council with the motion receiving cross party support. They want her released on humanitarian grounds.

Are the blushirts etc who voted in favour of that psuedo dissident supporters or whatever etc in your opinion? Rather than people genuinely concerned with the mistreatment she has recieved?

What mistreatment has she received?

GRMA

gallag wrote: »

What mistreatment has she received?

As I said Conlon outlines it quite well as have SF in numerous statements. A quick google should help you

COYW

She is in hospital at the moment getting treatment for her illness. Once she is judged suitably healthy by the doctors put her back behind bars where she belongs after breaking the conditions of her release.

GRMA

COYW wrote: »

She is in hospital at the moment getting treatment for her illness. Once she is suitably healthy, put her back behind bars where she belongs after breaking the conditions of her release.

She had been released for decades and was involved prominently in republican politics... how come she wasnt jailed decades ago? How come her sister and others released on license (its debatable as to whether she was on license) havent been jailed?

How can she have broken conditions of her release when she wasnt told of any conditions?

She has attended commemorations for decades and wasnt jailed.

Chips Lovell

Was this the first time she shared a platform with someone who threatened to kill policemen, or had she done it before?

GRMA

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Was this the first time she shared a platform with someone who threatened to kill policemen, or had she done it before?

She held a piece of paper what he read from, the courts accept that she didn't know what was on it, plus charges about that were dismissed. She was also granted bail.

Its a political decision to keep her in jail, not a judicial one, they granted her bail.

She was at dozens (hundreds probably) of events were speeches were made

Chips Lovell

She was granted bail over that incident. This is a case of her release licence being revoked though, no?

I think if you share a platform with someone making these kind of threats, it's only reasonable that your licence be revoked. In fact, you'd hope it would be.

Also, is she still charged with involvement of the killing of two soldiers at Massereene Barracks in 2009?

AlekSmart

SoulandForm wrote: »

And what exactly does the word "dissident" mean? I dont support the GFA. Infact Im opposed to it. Yet I dont support shooting police men, etc. The whole term is used to paint all those Republicans who reject the failed GFA as out and out mad bombers.

As somebody with only a passing interest in Northern Irelands socio/political scene I'd just like to confirm that GFA refers to the Good Friday Agreement ?

The main reason I ask,is that I find the term "failed" to be difficult to square away with fourteen years of relative normality and a hell of a lot more people alive and well than would have been the case otherwise.

Whilst I have no problem with you (or anybody) being opposed to the Agreement,the reality points to an agreement which has to be one of the most successful of it's type anywhere.

Whatever else the "GFA" may be,failed is not an accurate description out in the real world....?

SoulandForm

AlekSmart wrote: »

Whatever else the "GFA" may be,failed is not an accurate description out in the real world....?

Why have "Peace walls" doubled in the last ten years or so?

Both sides were exhausted; lets face the facts though that it was sold to different people as meaning completely different things- the GFA just set up conditions for another conflict, which will in all likelihood be worse and more indiscriminately sectarian than the last. It hasnt tackled sectarianism at all and has given the key problem, British occupation of the northern counties, a legitimacy it never had before.

oscarBravo

SoulandForm wrote: »

It hasnt tackled sectarianism at all and has given the key problem, British occupation of the northern counties, a legitimacy it never had before.

That's only the "key problem" from the perspective of one side. Which, ironically, betrays the real "key problem" - each side believes the other's genuine concerns to be the "key problem", and neither side is showing a great deal of interest in allaying the other side's concerns.

gallag

SoulandForm wrote: »

Why have "Peace walls" doubled in the last ten years or so?

Both sides were exhausted; lets face the facts though that it was sold to different people as meaning completely different things- the GFA just set up conditions for another conflict, which will in all likelihood be worse and more indiscriminately sectarian than the last. It hasnt tackled sectarianism at all and has given the key problem, British occupation of the northern counties, a legitimacy it never had before.

Where are these peace walls? There is only one gated peace wall in belfast.

AlekSmart

SoulandForm wrote: »

Why have "Peace walls" doubled in the last ten years or so?

Both sides were exhausted; lets face the facts though that it was sold to different people as meaning completely different things- the GFA just set up conditions for another conflict, which will in all likelihood be worse and more indiscriminately sectarian than the last. It hasnt tackled sectarianism at all and has given the key problem, British occupation of the northern counties, a legitimacy it never had before.

That may well be true for yourself,however for myself and the people I associate with,the GFA allowed us to partake in (and enjoy) a cross border event involving several religions and none,all without any reservations.

Although,to be truthful,at least one of our number was "Disappointed" at the lack of Army presence on the streets...ye can't win em all I guess ??

AlekSmart

SoulandForm wrote: »

Why have "Peace walls" doubled in the last ten years or so?

Both sides were exhausted; lets face the facts though that it was sold to different people as meaning completely different things- the GFA just set up conditions for another conflict, which will in all likelihood be worse and more indiscriminately sectarian than the last. It hasnt tackled sectarianism at all and has given the key problem, British occupation of the northern counties, a legitimacy it never had before.

At the risk of causing annoyance to some,could I ask what is your definition of "sectarianism" ?

Dubhlinner

SoulandForm wrote: »

Why have "Peace walls" doubled in the last ten years or so?

Because before that the army performed the role they now serve

Both sides were exhausted; lets face the facts though that it was sold to different people as meaning completely different things- the GFA just set up conditions for another conflict, which will in all likelihood be worse and more indiscriminately sectarian than the last. It hasnt tackled sectarianism at all and has given the key problem, British occupation of the northern counties, a legitimacy it never had before.

Doubt that very very much myself.

A peace agreement was never going to end sectarianism. though bombs not going off every week, members of the community not being killed by the IRA and loyalists every week has done an awful lot to reduce it.

Whatever people say the only harmful sectarianism these days is confined almost exclusively to working/under classes. "Mixed" marriages are massively on the increase which would suggest things are most certainly changing.

For the vast majority of people the GFA was a massive success so I don't think there's any real risk of another conflict. I agree it was sold to different people as different things, which is why I reckon a second wave of militant minded republicans appeared after SF accepted the PSNI; that was when it finally dawned on them they were duped.

gallag

The peace walls have not doubled, if anythin the iron ring around belfast has opend up. No more security checking every car and security checking womens bags on the way into shops. Its amazing that the people who seem to be against the gfa dont live here, they just get their info from propaganda papers etc.

GRMA

Marian was released briefly this morning to pay her last respects to her sister. She's back in hospital again now. To get even this was a massive battle, she was initially denied compassionate release.

Marian is too sick to attend her sisters funeral tomorrow.

That in mind I think its clear that she is no danger to anyone - if she cant attend the funeral of her sister who she was extremely close to then what possible danger can she pose. She should be released immediately on humanitarian grounds.

Death and Taxes

GRMA wrote: »

Marian was released briefly this morning to pay her last respects to her sister. She's back in hospital again now. To get even this was a massive battle, she was initially denied compassionate release.

Marian is too sick to attend her sisters funeral tomorrow.

That in mind I think its clear that she is no danger to anyone - if she cant attend the funeral of her sister who she was extremely close to then what possible danger can she pose. She should be released immediately on humanitarian grounds.

That mistake was made before, I doubt it will happen again, she should never have aligned herself with organized crime when she was on a life liciense.

junder

gallag wrote: »

She has dabbled in bombs before and likes to incite hatred and encourage the armed struggle to continue. I dont want her free in my country. I would also hold this opinion if she was uvf/uda etc but something tells me you would not be calling for her freedom then?

Micheal stone has bad arthritis, crippled by it by all accounts, I wonder if those so concerned by the plight of prisoners will be calling for his realise ?