A chara, – Thirty years ago I travelled back and forth to Ireland with various delegations of good-willed people, including the peace activist Fr Daniel Berrigan, who asked that England grant the reasonable five demands of the blanket men and prevent the unnecessary deaths of the men on hunger strike in Long Kesh. Ten men died despite the efforts of thousands around the globe – not least of which were our H-Block/Armagh Committees in the US. Three decades later, I am adding my voice to those of good conscience throughout Ireland, England, Europe and here in America who say “Enough!” Enough to the suffering, and at this point, what appears to be the torture of Brendan Lillis.
Now, we are asking people of good conscience to please help end the suffering of Brendan Lillis by urging the Northern Ireland Office, the NI Prison Service, Minister for Justice David Ford, Northern Ireland Office minister of state Hugo Swire and Northern Ireland Chief Commissioner for Human Rights Monica McWilliams to facilitate Mr Lillis’s release. End this needless suffering and prevent another unnecessary death in a Northern prison; Mr Lillis’s continued imprisonment (Home News, August 5th 10th) will only lead to more anger, more resentment and more violence.
The government of the UK and the administrators of the six counties should finally do the right thing and let Brendan Lillis go home and, if his situation continues to deteriorate, die in peace. – Is mise,