This Sets the Precedent Today for What is to Follow
Posted by Jim on June 4, 2012
The Good Friday Agreement contains the word ‘Equality’. This word just does not exist within the mentality of Unionists such as Morrow and Brush. In their eyes, it justifies them, not only to persecute Gerry McGeough and his family, but also to manipulate and rewrite the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. While it appears that Gerry has been singled out as the only Republican to be prosecuted and imprisoned on alleged offences prior to 1998, over time, it will be clear that he is only the first.
Prior to 1970, to satisfy their bigoted needs and desires, they wore the black uniform of the B-Special. Today, they satisfy those needs by ensuring that equality of implementation does not apply to the terms of the Good Friday Agreement when dealing with Republicans. Therefore, they want to see Gerry McGeough serve his full sentence for an alleged ‘criminal act’.
They will not associate the term ‘criminal’ with members of the British Security Forces who, they believe, were totally justified in any actions carried out against innocent Irish Republicans who were tortured or murdered simply because of their political beliefs. They see us as the lowest form of existence in Ireland.
Would they apply the term ‘criminal’ to the British soldiers who shot dead innocent civilians? They have no reason whatsoever to entertain such a thought. The first British soldier to be charged with murder in the Occupied Counties, in 1974, had his charge reduced to manslaughter and was then acquitted. That set the precedent for what was to follow.
Following Gerry’s arrest in 2007, it took another three years before he was actually brought to trial. In the meantime, a decision was taken to continue the use of the corrupt British Diplock Court system. International political asylum laws were abused by the British and Swedish Governments scheming to permit confidential political asylum papers to be used as ‘evidence’ against Gerry. Internment without trial was then reintroduced and any charges against those internees is based on ‘secret evidence’ which nobody is allowed access to. The term ‘dissident’ is used to insinuate that all those who are no longer associated with mainstream Republicanism are obviously opposed to peaceful and political solutions. Therefore they ‘pose a threat’ and the British ‘Security Forces’ can justify ‘controlled’ internment against Republicans.
Since Gerry’s imprisonment in 2011, statements have been issued by the most bigoted Anti-Good Friday Agreement Unionists, Morrow and Brush, voicing concerns over the amount of legal aid granted during Gerry’s trial in an attempt to manipulate the legal aid system and deny Republicans the right to a defence. Their latest statement now calls for Gerry McGeough, an Irish Republican, to be labelled a criminal and they attempt to rewrite the Good Friday Agreement by stating that Gerry should serve his full twenty year sentence. His release date is 2031. British soldiers, UDR and RUC personnel are not being prosecuted for pre-1998 offences. This sets the precedent today for what is to follow.
This has to be stopped now. The British Government and the Dissident Unionists need to be held to account for their actions against the people of Ireland, 14 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Equality and the right to benefit from the Peace Process is not being applied to Republicans. This things were supposed to be over. Gerry McGeough, Marian Price and Martin Corey should be released immediately. We want Gerry home now.
Damian Herron, Chairman – Northern Ireland
Free Gerry McGeough Campaign Committee