NORTHERN IRELAND’S Minister for Justice David Ford has refused to release a republican prisoner suffering from a serious medical condition on compassionate grounds.
Mr Ford made the decision after meeting politicians from the SDLP and Sinn Féin regarding former Provisional IRA man Brendan Lillis, who has spent nearly two years in bed in Maghaberry Prison’s hospital wing.
He is suffering from the debilitating condition ankylosing spondylitis, chronic arthritis, and weighs about 5½ stone.
Lillis (59) was jailed for possessing explosives in 1977 and was released in 1993 on licence, which was revoked in 2009 when he was charged with robbery.
Earlier this year, it was decided the west Belfast man was too ill to stand trial on the fresh charges, however he remains in prison.
Mr Ford said yesterday he had received reassurances from medical staff at the Co Antrim prison that Lillis was receiving adequate care at the prison hospital.
While it was within his power to free the prisoner, he had been advised there were not sufficient grounds for release.
Lillis’s partner, Róisín Lynch, said his condition meant he was no longer a threat to the public and rejected the suggestion he was receiving adequate care in jail.
“We’re on the humanitarian side of this now. We’re not talking about freeing Brendan Lillis – we are talking about saving Brendan Lillis,” she said.
“I fear now David Ford will not release Brendan until he is either dead or only a matter of hours from death. I did not detect any compassion or justice from the justice minister.”
Sinn Féin West Belfast MP Paul Maskey said Lillis’s case was “a matter of urgency”.
“The justice minister has claimed he does not have the power to release Brendan Lillis, despite legal advice to the contrary.
“There must not be any further delay in this case,” Mr Maskey added. “The Parole Commission needs to meet as a matter of urgency and make the right decision. Mr Lillis should be released immediately in order to secure the necessary care that he requires.”
Members of the SDLP met Mr Ford earlier this week and following yesterday’s decision, reiterated their call for him to make “the right decision”.
“Brendan Lillis is not a threat to society and should be allowed home. He cannot be allowed to die in jail.”
The Workers Party also called for his immediate release and condemned Mr Ford’s attitude as callous and ill-behoving of someone who claimed to uphold humanitarian values.