Brothers Damien (Dee) Duffy, Paul Duffy, and their cousin Shane Duffy  were all arrested in Lurgan, County Armagh on Friday and presented with  a variety of ‘terrorist’ charges at Lisburn Magistrates’ Court this  morning.  They have been held without bail.

 Lawyer Joe McVeigh told the court that the Duffy family “are subject to  persecution by the police and they want that ventilated”.

 He said: “They feel that they’re being persecuted and one would not  have to stray very far from recent events to find a reason why that  persecution would be happening.”

 Colin Duffy, a lifelong republican activist, spent two years on remand  as a protesting prisoner at Maghaberry jail before he was finally  cleared earlier this year of involvement in the 2009 IRA attack on  Massareene British Army base.

 A notorious target of PSNI harassment, Colin has been the subject of a  number of false arrests as well a miscarriage of justice. His brother  Paul, who served as the family’s spokesperson in the campaign for his  release, was also hte victim of state persecution during the family’s  campaign to free Colin.

 Serious questions were raised regarding the nature of the searches  conducted at two of the men’s houses and a subsequent police press  release.

 Mr McVeigh revealed that during the searches, conducted at 5am, the  PSNI video-recorded the families’ children and even interrogated them  on camera in what was described as a “degrading” exercise.

 Mr McVeigh asked the PSNI if they would give an “undertaking in a  verifiable way” that the videos would be deleted.  The PSNI member said  he was unsure “if it can be done” but said he would request their  deletion.

 On Friday, a police spokesperson released a statement that the men had  been charged following a PSNI-led investigation having worked closely  “with colleagues in the security services”.

 Mr McVeigh repeatedly asked which branch of the secret services had  been involved, and what their role had been, but the PSNI admitted in  court they did not know the answer to either question.

 In Omagh, three men and a woman also appeared in court and charged with  a series of offences.

 The ‘Family and Friends of Republican Prisoners, Maghaberry’ said the  arrests across the North this week have focussed on relatives and  supporters of republican prisoners.

 The arrest operation was described as “another example of the State’s  attitude to republicans who dare to stand up for the rights of  political prisoners.”

Former Old Bailey bomber Marian Price is gravely ill after months in solitary confinement, her family has said.

The extent of her illness emerged after she was found to be too unwell to stand trial or even appear in court via video-link.

A court heard that Price’s health had gravely deteriorated during a year’s solitary confinement in jail.

The claim was made as charges against Price and three other republicans relating to an Easter commemoration in Derry were dismissed.

The judge threw out the case after prosecution papers still weren’t ready. But Director of Public Prosecutions, Barra McGrory, insisted the case against Price and the others will proceed despite the ruling.

Price (58) had been charged with encouraging support for a paramilitary organisation after holding a statement from which a masked Real IRA man read.

The veteran republican was granted bail when initially charged with that offence last May but her licence was then revoked by the Secretary of State.

She was held in solitary confinement in the top security Maghaberry jail until February when she was moved to Hydebank prison which is said to have a more relaxed regime.

But Price’s husband, Jerry McGlinchey, told the Belfast Telegraph that his wife’s health had deteriorated rapidly in Hydebank:

“Marian is so ill that she had to be taken to a recent visit in a wheelchair. Her hair is falling out, she has lost a lot of weight, and her arthritis has got worse.

“She is suffering from severe depression after a year in solitary without any release date.

“The doctors in Hydebank have told us she’s not fit to be in jail – she should either be in hospital or at home.”

Mr McGlinchey claimed his wife’s conditions in Hydebank were “so bad” that she has actually requested a transfer back to Maghaberry.

“She is locked in her cell far longer every day than in Maghaberry. She has much less access to fresh air and exercise,” he said. “Her cell is near cells where unruly young male prisoners are housed.

“She often gets no sleep as they shout, bang on the walls, and sometimes sing the Sash all night.”

When revoking Price’s licence, Owen Paterson said she posed a security threat. Her lawyers claim he’d no right to do so as she’d been granted a royal pardon when freed from jail in 1980. The government claims this pardon has been lost.

Two months after her licence was revoked, Price was charged with supplying a mobile phone to those who murdered two young British soldiers at Massereene Army base in 2009. Price was granted bail on that charge.

A candlelit vigil will be held at ‘Free Derry Corner’ on Sunday to mark the first anniversary of Price’s imprisonment.

Marian Price is the national secretary of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement allegedly the Real IRA’s political wing.

Her sister Dolours and Gerry Kelly – now a senior Sinn Féin politician – were part of an 11-member IRA unit which bombed London in 1973.

Around 200 people received minor injuries when two bombs exploded outside the Old Bailey and Whitehall. One man died of a heart attack.

Price embarked on a 200-day hunger-strike in Brixton prison demanding a transfer to Armagh jail. She was force fed 400 times. She opposed Sinn Féin’s political direction in 1994.

The Irish Echo and the Belfast Media Group with Honorary Chairs, Geraldine Hughes, Terry George, John Connorton, John J. Reilly and Danny Moore will host the conference.

Previous speakers at New York-New Belfast include Terence Brannigan, Chair CBI NI, Speaker Christine Quinn, Michael Graham of Titanic Quarter, Ben Chrenelich, CFO NYSE Technologies, Peter Fiztgerald, Founder Randox Laboratories, Congressman Richie Neal, Comptroller John Liu, Eamonn Donaghy of KPMG and Gary Hanley of Invest NI.

The conference will culminate with the fifth annual Irish Echo Index luncheon, honoring of 30 top companies with operations in the US and Ireland. At our gala event, we will also honor several eminent Irish American business figures. Following the gala luncheon, Robert Walsh, Commissioner of Small Business Services, New York City, will lead a walking tour of one of New York’s most vibrant neighbourhoods.

• Manhattan – ships are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.at  Piers 90 & 92
• Staten Island. ships are open every day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Homeport Pier
• Brooklyn – Ships are open Sat, Sun & Mon , May 26-28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the coalition ships

Air Demonstrations

• Thursday, May 24
  • 9 a.m., Coney Island, NY- USMC, USN, & USCG aviation demonstrations and displays at Coney Island.  USN Leap Frogs Parachute Jump (MH-53E), USMC airborne insertion/extraction of combat equipped Marines with helicopters.
  • 12:30 p.m., Ronkonoma, NY- USMC display of aviation and personnel equipment.  Marines will be available to discuss and interact with public. Sachem High School, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY.
  •  1:30 p.m., Brooklyn, NY- Aerial demonstration followed by static display at  Sheepshead High School, Brooklyn..  Aerial demo would consist of MH-60S conducting Explosive Ordnance Team Search and rescue operations. After demo, MH-60S will land for static display
• Friday, May 25
  • 9:30 a.m., New Jersey – Aerial demonstration followed by static display at Hackensack High School, NJ.  Aerial demo would consist of MH-60S conducting Explosive Ordnance Team Search and rescue operations.  After demo, MH-60S will land as for static display. 
  • 10 a.m.,   Queens, NY – USMC display of aviation and personnel equipment.  Marines will be available to discuss and interact with public. Forrest Hills High School, Queens.
  • 12:30 p.m.,  Long Island, NY – USMC display of aviation and personnel  equipment.  Marines will be available to discuss and interact with public. East Islip High School, Long Island.
  • 12:30 p.m., Paramus, NJ – Aerial demonstration followed by static display at Paramus East Brook Middle School, Paramus, NJ.  Aerial demo would consist of MH-60S , MH-60R, and MH-53 conducting Explosive Ordnance Team Search and rescue operations.  After demo, helicopters will land and be available for static display. 

    2:30 p.m.,  Orchard Beach– USMC display of aviation and personnel equipment.  Marines will be available to discuss and interact with public.

• Saturday, May 26
  • 10 a.m..  Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY- USMC and USN displays of aviation and personnel equipment.  Service members from all services will be available to discuss and interact with public.  USN will host an Explosive Ordnance Team demo and land MH-60S, MH-60R and MH-53E for display.  USMC will land MV-22B, CH-46E, UH-1N and AH-1W.
• Sunday, May 27
  • 10 a.m. ,  Corona Park , Flushing Meadows, NY– USMC will host a display of aviation and personnel equipment.   Marines will be available to discuss and interact with public.
  • 2 p.m., Randall Park, Freeport, NY – Aerial demonstration followed by static display at Randall Park in Freeport, NY.  Aircraft will consist of MH-60S and MH-60R conducting Explosive Ordnance Team search and rescue operations.  After demo, helicopters  will land and be available for static display and NRD will bring Recruiting Simulator.
  • 2 p.m.,  Playland Park, Rye NY – USMC will host a display of aviation and personnel equipment.   Marines will be available to discuss and interact with public.
• Monday, May 28
  • 9 a.m., Cloves Lake Park, NY – USMC will host a display of aviation and personnel equipment.   Marines will be available to discuss and interact with public.
• Tuesday, May 29
  • 1 p.m.  Staten Island, NY – Aerial demonstration followed by static display at New Dorp High School.  Aerial demo would consist of MH-60S conducting Explosive Ordnance Team search and rescue operations.  After demo, MH-60S will land and be available for static display.  New Dorp High School, Staten Island, NY.
•  

Community / Park Events

• Wednesday, May 23
  • 8a.m. – 1 p.m.            Fleet Week Parade of Ships
• Thursday, May 24
  • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.           General Public Visiting / Group Tours (Manhattan/Staten Island)
  • 10 a.m. – Noon          U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard Air & Water Demonstrations at Coney Island, NY
  • 12:30 p.m.                  USMC MAGTF Aviation Event @ Sachem High School, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY
  • 1 p.m.                          USN Aviation Event @ Sheepshead Bay High School, Brooklyn
• Friday, May 25
  • 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.          General Public Visiting / Group Tours (Manhattan/Staten Island)
  • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.          U.S. Marine Corps Day in Battery Park
  • 9:30 a.m.                   USN aviation event @ Hackensack High School, Hackensack, NJ
  • 10 a.m.                      USMC aviation event @ Forrest Hills High School, Queens
  • Noon                          USCG Search and Rescue Demo @ Staten Island Pier
  • 12:30 p.m.                 USMC aviation event @ East Islip High School, Long Island
  • 12:30 p.m.                 USN aviation event @ Paramus Middle School, Paramus, NJ
  • 2:30 p.m.                   USMC aviation event @ Orchard Beach
• Saturday, May 26
  • 8 a.m. -  5 p.m.         General Public Visiting / Group Tours (Manhattan/Staten Island)
  • 9 a.m. -  6 p.m.         Military Day in Times Square featuring performance by the Navy Band NE & USMC Band performances
  • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.        U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Air and Land Demonstrations at Eisenhower Park (East Meadow, NY)
  • Noon                          Governors Island Family Fest
  • 1 p.m.                         Staten Island Music Festival
• Sunday, May 27
  • 8 a.m. -  5 p.m.         General Public Visiting / Group Tours (Manhattan/Staten Island)
  • 10 a.m.                      USMC aviation event @ Flushing Meadows Corona Park
  • 10 a.m. -  3 p.m.      Staten Island War of 1812 Commemoration Event @ Ft. Wadsworth
  • 2 – 5 p.m.                  Military Bands in Times Square
  • 2 p.m.                        USN aviation event @ Randall Park, Freeport
  • 2 p.m.                        USMC aviation event @ Playland Park, Rye, NY 
• Monday,  May 28
  • 8 a.m. -  5 p.m.        General Public Visiting / Group Tours (Manhattan/Staten Island)
  • 9 a.m.                        USMC aviation event @ Cloves Lake Park
• Tuesday, May 29
• 8 a.m. -  5 p.m.        General Public Visiting / Group Tours (Manhattan/Staten Island)
• 1 p.m.                        USN aviation event @ New Dorp High School, Staten Island

Parade Schedule

• Thursday, May 24
• Larchmont Memorial Parade, Larchmont, NY
• Sunday, May 27
  • Greenpoint Veterans Memorial Parade, Brooklyn NY
  • College Point Parade, College Point, NY
  • Maspeth Memorial Weekend Parade, Maspeth, NY
  • Village of Hastings-on-Hudson NY
• Monday, May 28
  • New Rochelle Memorial Day Parade,  Rochelle, NY
  • Bayville Memorial Day Parade, Bayille, NY
  • Pelham Memorial Day Parade,  Pelham, NY
  • Allied Veterans Memorial Parade, Ridgewood/Glendale, NY
  • Staten Island Memorial Parade, Staten Island
  • Kings County Memorial Parade,  Brooklyn, NY
  • Bogota, NJ Memorial Day Parade, Bogota, NJ
  • Manhattan Memorial Day Parade, Manhattan
  • Little Neck Douglaston Memorial Day Parade, Little Neck, NY
  • City Island and Bronx Memorial Day Parade, Bronx,  NY

   Join with many members of the A.O.H. from neighboring States.

   Cost of round trip is $35.00 per person payable to the Comm. John Barry Club of Brooklyn.

   For more information contact Mary Nolan at 718-833-3405

   www.commodorebarryclubbrooklyn.org

Few patriots played as wide-ranging and prominent role as has Republican, Tyrone County AOH President, author and activist Gerry McGeough. He joined Sinn Fein in 1975 and was a key campaigner for the Hunger Strikers, helping elect Bobby Sands MP.

The British charge that Gerry McGeough was also an active IRA Volunteer, seriously wounded in an engagement with armed UDR in June 1981 near Aughnacloy.

Gerry McGeough came to America in 1982, and joined with AOH members Mike Flannery, Pat Mullin, and Andy Duggan among others in providing aid for the defense of the people of Tyrone and the six counties.

After leaving America, McGeough was arrested on the Dutch-German border in 1988 and jailed in a notorious German bunker prison for four years before all charges collapsed.

Extradited to the United States, on old 1982 charges, he was released and organized an Irish Race Convention, joined the AOH Division 35 in Brooklyn, and rallied support for the Republican Movement and the families of Irish political prisoners. Gerry wrote the first of two books, THE AMBUSH and OTHER STORIES while serving a three year sentence.

Gerry McGeough returned to Ireland, earning teaching degrees with honors at Trinity and University College Dublin. He founded a monthly magazine, THE HIBERNIAN, so-named because of his regard for AOH stands on freedom-for–all Ireland and religion. He wrote a second book DEFENDERS, about the IRA struggle in Tyrone.

Active with Sinn Fein, he was elected to the party officer board or Ard Comhairle, and led its campaign against the European Union Nice Treaty. Told he was free to return home to Tyrone; Gerry McGeough married, settled openly on his family homestead in Eglish and began a family which now numbers four young children. He joined the AOH in Tyrone and was later elected County President. His land houses a historic AOH hall which was defended by his ancestors.

In 2007, he objected to stamping approval on a British constabulary which had colluded in the murder of close friends like Liam Ryan, and helped set-up summary executions rather than capture of Jim Lynagh, Lawrence McNally, and Pete Ryan among many others in Tyrone and across the north.

When he stood for election as an Independent Republican candidate, the British arrested him at the polls on now thirty-one year old charges. After 4 years, during which he suffered 2 heart attacks, Gerry McGeough was jailed by a British judge in a non-jury Diplock court, attended by top members of Paisley’s DUP.

The British offer apologies for Bloody Sunday, and other crown murders but grant an undeclared amnesty to British troopers or constabulary that does not extend to Irish Republicans like Gerry McGeough.

Britain’s refusal to count his years of imprisonment in Germany and America for early release means he will spend at least another year in Maghaberry prison, with mounting heart problems.

A benefit will be held on Saturday night May 19th at O’Lunney’s upstairs room at, 145 West 45th street,( between Broadway and 6th Avenue,) New York from 7:30 p.m. to 12 midnight. Music will be provided by Mickey Coleman of Ardboe. Complementary buffet. Cash bar. Admission $20.00
Please help this Irish patriot and AOH member by helping his wife and four small children.
For tickets, donations and other information please call:

Please call 516 889-2541 leave a message or e-mail    billynolan@fdnygaelicfootball.com  for information

 When the FDNY plays the LAFD on Saturday, May 19th, Half of the proceeds from this game will go directly to building Bryan’s “smart home”.

 Port Richmond High School, 85 St. Josephs Avenue, Staten Island, NY

 1:00 pm kickoff

  BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW FOR JUST $10.00

 *** Tickets will be held at the “Will Call” window. Please include your name when you check out.   go to www.bravestfootball.com you can still donate if you want to go to game

 The Family and Friends of Republican Prisoners said that prison warders  at the controversial county Antrim jail are now demanding that  prisoners change their clothing before speaking to a doctor or nurse.

 ”The prisoners have and will continue to shower prior to any medical  consultation but the new policy which would require them to go to a  decontamination cell and change their clothing before and after a two  minute consultation is totally unacceptable to the prisoners,” said  Mandy Duffy of the Family and Friends group.

 ”After several complaints it has become apparent that the medical staff  have no issue with seeing the prisoners without the need for a change  of clothing but as usual the denial of these consultations lies solely  with the prison admin.

 ”Once again the denial of human rights to political prisoners remains  the norm in Maghaberry. We the Family are Friends are highly concerned  with this new development and call on people to apply pressure were  possible and support the PoWs on protest.”

  ’PERSECUTION’

  One prisoner at Maghaberry, Gerry McGeough, has said that Britain and  unionists are using the prison system to pursue a policy of “vengeance  and retribution” against the nationalist community in the North.

 A well-known independent republican politician, Mr McGeough was  controversially jailed last year for an IRA attack dating from 1981.

 ”Through my incarceration and ongoing political persecution the British  are sending a stark message to Irish Catholics,” he said in a statement  from his Maghaberry cell.

 ”That message is an old one.  It is ‘Croppies Lie Down’.

 ”What the British/Unionist establishment is, in effect saying, is that  the IRA lost the war and Sinn Féin bungled the peace.  We are in total  control now and we will do what we like.  For ‘Croppies’ there will be  no future, only vengeance and retribution for the past.

 ”We will break up families.  We will take fathers from their wives and  children and a mother from her family, and throw them in jail so that  unionist bigots can smirk, laugh and wallow in sectarian hate.”

  He pointed to high levels of emigration from the nationalist areas of  the Six Counties, and asked: “Is it any wonder that tens of thousands  of Orangemen are to march on Stormont in September to gloat and  celebrate?”