Prison Persecution Continues
After the assault carried out on Colin by the screws in Maghaberry the analysis expressed by Colin’s brother Paul spoken during an interview on radio free éireann became all too true. During the interview Paul expressed the family’s concern that the British state’s persecution of Colin didn’t just stop when he was imprisoned. Interviewed on radio free éireann Paul stated:
“….We (the family) have asked the question: When is this all going to stop in relation to this persecution of him? Obviously, there’s no intention of it stopping even with him being imprisoned….”.
The latest incident to take place was on Monday 27th July. On this occasion Colin was denied access to his solicitor. Colin’s solicitor was informed by prison authorities that Colin had refused to take the legal visit that his solicitor had requested.
According to Colin this was a blatant lie as Colin had not been informed by prison staff that his solicitor was there to see him.
Speaking about this latest incident Colin’s brother stated:
“By deliberately not informing Colin about his legal visit the prison authorities have infringed upon Colin’s legal right to access to his solicitor. I am calling on all legal bodies and human rights organisations to speak out about this latest incident.”
It is also worth noting that only last week a solicitor was removed from the visiting area by a riot squad after a screw had hit an alarm button. On this occasion the prisoner’s legal visit was ‘cut short’.
Presently, Colin’s solicitor intends to take the matter up with the prison authorities.
