Sir, – I was shocked when I became aware on August 14th that four well-known Tyrone republican prisoners were forced to undertake a hunger strike. This is because they are been denied access to republican landings in Maghaberry prison. They are still on hunger strike as I write this letter.
These prisoners are on remand because they were arrested and charged by crown forces. Every aspect of their arrest, questioning and detention points to a suspicion by the authorities as to a political offence.
I have also become aware that they are being denied political status not by their captors, but by a minuscule political organisation with its headquarters at 223 Parnell Street, Dublin.
As a life-long republican and former member of the National H-Block committee and chairman and founding member, I find it unbelievable that anyone would deny these men political status. I know that some of those denying them this were at one-time members of their local H-Block committees. I must ask, have they forgotten this or are they ashamed of that part of their lives?
I would remind them of one of the slogans of the National H-Block committee: political status is a right not a privilege. – Is mise,