Republican prisoner moved to hospital
A republican prisoner who has been at the centre of a campaign to get him released from jail has been moved to an outside hospital.
Brendan Lillis, 59, who has been confined to bed in the prison hospital at Maghabbery for the past 18 months is said by his family to be in a “critical condition.”
They have been campaigning to secure the west Belfastman’s release from the prison.
Lillis, who suffers from arthritic condition Ankylosing Spondylitis, has been held in the prison after his political licence was revoked two years ago after he was re-arrested in connection with a tiger kidnapping.
However, authorities ruled that he was unfit to stand trial.
He was previously behind bars in the 1970s for explosives charges.
Family spokesperson Gerard Hodgins claimed the decision to move him was taken following a visit from Lillis’ wife Roisin.
“Roisin visited Brendan Lillis (on Tuesday) and after five minutes the visit was stopped and a doctor declared Brendan to be critical and in need of removal to hospital.
“Roisin was not notified when he would be moved or to where he would be moved and she left the visit in a distressed state.
“We have been highlighting the critical nature of Brendan’s condition for a long time and while we are pleased that he is to at last receive appropriate treatment, the delay in making this move does nothing to instill confidence in the justice system in the North of Ireland.”
