Compassionate Temporary Release of Irish Republican Prisoner Refused

News from IRPWA (Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association)

“On Monday afternoon, Republican prisoner Seán McVeigh made an application for CTR (Compassionate Temporary Release) following the sudden and tragic loss of his daughter’s mother. The administration in Maghaberry showed a complete disregard for the difficult circumstances faced by Seán and his daughter, for whom Seán is now the sole parent, and refused the application without any compassion or due consideration of the tragic events that led to the request.

In fact, in a written response outlining the refusal of the application, the administration wrongly stated that the application was to attend the “renewal of wedding vows”. This is entirely indicative of the lack of consideration given to the request, which ought to have been assessed on its own merits and with compassion – not only for Seán, but for his only daughter. The insensitivity of the administration will come as no surprise to many, as this lack of compassion is symptomatic of the broader bigoted attitudes within the Maghaberry administration.

Following this refusal, Seán’s legal team took an emergency judicial review of the decision to refuse the CTR. This was also refused in unfair circumstances by the very judge who is currently hearing the so-called “trial” of his co-accused, leading to what can only be seen as a biased decision to refuse the judicial review.

The complete ignorance shown towards Seán and his young daughter must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

Our thoughts remain with Seán and his young daughter at this difficult time.”