Prisoner Lillis is released
Republican remand prisoner Brendan Lillis, who was moved from Maghaberry jail to an outside hospital earlier this month, has been freed.
His partner Roisin Lynch was informed of the decision, taken by Parole Commissioners after months of lobbying over concerns about Lillis’ deteriorating health.
She told UTV she felt “vindicated” by the verdict.
“It’s hard to believe, it’s been a long hard fight.
“The first thing I said was: ‘Is this real? Are the guards away?’ I was crying. They told me from this minute, Brendan is free – both the hospital doors are unlocked.”
Lillis remains in a Belfast hospital for treatment, but is no longer under guard.
The 59-year-old from the west of the city, suffers from the arthritic condition ankylosing spondylitis, and previously been confined to bed in the prison’s hospital wing for 18 months.
“I want to lift him out of hospital and bring him home; I can’t because he’s not well enough to come home,” said Ms Lynch.
“We’ve just learned recently that we’re going to be grandparents again. There’s just so much that we’ve missed out on, but there’s so much that I’m going to be able to share with him.”
Having served 17 years in prison for past explosives charges, Lillis was returned to jail after his licence was revoked two years ago – following his arrest in connection with a tiger kidnapping.
But authorities ruled he was unfit to stand trial.
“You have to fight tooth and nail, and that’s what I’ve done for a long time. It’s over for Brendan but the fight is not over,” Ms Lynch said.
She described the justice system as “very flawed” and said it was “the only logical, humane decision” the Parole Commission could have taken.
Talks had been held with prison authorities and Justice Minister David Ford, who said the final decision on Lillis’ release would rest with the Parole Commissioners.
“I think David Ford didn’t make the decision because he was relying on the Commissioners making the decision and then he wouldn’t get caught in the trap between DUP and Sinn Féin,” Ms Lynch added.
“He didn’t have the backbone to make any decision.”
West Belfast Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomed the decision to release Lillis and said compassion had been needed from the criminal justice system, given his medical condition.
“No Republican would condone the criminal activities Brendan Lillis was accused of being involved in,” he said.
“However this was an issue of a seriously ill man who had been deemed too sick to stand trial continuing to be held in prison.
“Sinn Féin are absolutely opposed to the revocation of licenses – it is tantamount to internment and goes against natural justice.”
But East Londonderry DUP MP Gregory Campbell said Mr Lillis’ release is to be “deeply regretted”.
“Now that Brendan Lillis has been released on the grounds of ill health, and given that the campaign was mounted that he would have better health treatment upon his release (…), as his health improves we look to see him face the very serious charges that hang over his head and have done so for some time.”
Mr Campbell also called for the Justice Minister’s “capacity to carry out his functions” to be “reflected upon”.
“I think it’s a totally retrograde step that the Justice Minister has, what appears to have been, capitulated to political pressure,” said Mr Campbell.
“I’m afraid David Ford’s tenure as Justice Minister has been one appalling indictment after another,” he added.
Mr Ford was not available for comment on Thursday evening.
A spokesperson for the Northern Ireland Prison Service said:
“The Parole Commissioners have informed the Department (of Justice) of its direction to release Mr Lillis on licence back into the community. Arrangements are being made to facilitate the release.”
