MORE than 50 members of the US Congress have appealed to President Clinton to intervene to prevent the threatened deportation of seven men formerly convicted for paramilitary activities in Northern Ireland.
The plight of the men and their American families was highlighted in a recent hearing by the Congressional Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs. An official of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service testified that the recent tightening up of the anti terrorism laws meant such convictions disqualified persons from remaining in the US.
In the letter requesting a meeting with Mr Clinton, the members of Congress say "the men in question suffered political persecution in the North of Ireland". They are Noel Gaynor, Robbie McErlean, Gabriel Megahey, Matt Morrison, Charles Caulfield, Kevin Crossan and Brian Pearson.
The letter says that "several served time as special category political prisoners after being convicted through torture and extorted confessions by Diplock [one British judge, no jury] courts. None is wanted for any crime in Ireland, Northern Ireland or Britain."
While in the US, the letter says, "these men have lead exemplary lives as productive, law abiding members of their communities".
If they are deported, "the men, because of their prior political activity in Ireland, will very likely be targeted for additional government harassment or paramilitary violence. Their families would also be placed at considerable risk," the letter says.