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Irlanda del Nord: Ex prigionieri politici “hanno bisogno di sostegno”

Ex-political prisoners ‘need support’

Former loyalist and republican prisoners – including the leader of the UDA and a Sinn Féin MLA – have called for more support to help those jailed during the Troubles adapt to normal life.

Maze/Long KeshIt comes after the first major report into the well-being of ex-political prisoners was published on Monday, claiming they struggle to find their place in society or to secure employment.

According to the findings, more than one in three former prisoners are also on sedatives and tranquilizers and almost the same amount are on anti-depressants, while close to 70% abuse alcohol.

Sinn Féin MLA Pat Sheehan, a former Maze prisoner who took part in the H-block hunger strikes, told UTV helping ex-prisoners was a vital part of the process of moving Northern Ireland forward.

“If we’re ever going to move out of conflict, or a post-conflict situation, we’re going to have to remove the causes of conflict. And one of the causes of conflict was inequality,” he said.

He claims former political prisoners have not received the same support as others who suffered during the Troubles, such as RUC officers and members of the British Armed Forces.

“I know a number of former political prisoners who have taken their own lives,” Mr Sheehan said.

“And perhaps if they had had the same access to mental health care, that might not have happened.”

Asked if there are any differences between the loyalist and republican sides, the prisoner-turned-politician said: “Well, I think even loyalists would admit there’s a higher degree of isolation and marginalisation within their community.

“Within the republican community, we have access to political influence through Sinn Féin – many of whose members are former prisoners also.”

UDA leader Jackie McDonald has welcomed the research, as he feels there is an imbalance which needs to be addressed.

“Loyalist prisoners can’t get jobs as taxi drivers – and some republican prisoners are MLAs,” he told UTV.

But Mr McDonald, who also served time in the Maze, added that all political prisoners have something to contribute to moving Northern Ireland forward.

“They’re no threat to society – they might have been a threat to each other, but fortunately circumstances have changed,” he said.

“Let them talk to young people – let them give young people the benefit of their experience and de-glamourise the Troubles, de-glamourise paramilitarism.”

Experts from Queen’s University, Belfast led the research which surveyed 190 loyalists and republicans who had been jailed during the Troubles.

In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 loyalists and 15 republicans, including three women, in a bid to establish how they were treated in society.

But it remains a controversial issue, with many feeling that the victims of paramilitary violence should come first.

DUP MLA Jonathan Bell said: “They don’t have to pay for degrees or their education, yet there are children out there whose parents were murdered by terrorist organisations who are struggling and that can’t be right.

“We want to be able to rehabilitate everyone in our society, to change from the ways of terrorism in the past to a positive future – rehabilitation is key.

“But what has to happen is that rehabilitation cannot be at the expense of the need of innocent victims. The needs of innocent victims should come first and foremost.”

It’s estimated 200,000 people in Northern Ireland have been directly affected by having a loved one in prison at some time during the conflict.


Struggling to cope


Unfinished business

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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