|
Statement from Irish Republican Socialist Party Prisons Spokesperson Gino Gallagher:
The condition of Republican Socialist prisoner Michael McCartney has "deteriorated alarmingly" over the last twelve hours says IRSP prisons spokesperson Gino Gallagher. Mr. Gallagher was commenting after meeting relatives of the Hunger-Strikers in Dundalk and before travelling to Portlaoise prison on a visit to meet with the prisoners' representatives. Commenting on the ongoing protest Mr. Gallagher said: "Michael McCartney has been without food now for 17 days, during the last twelve hours he has been experiencing severe chest pains, maing it very difficult for him to breathe easily. His family has a history of heart disease with both his father and brother of 31 dying from this condition. After speaking with relatives, and learning of this deterioration, I have been left alarmed and very worried at his condition." Mr. Gallagher continued: "We have entered the third week of the Hunger-Strike, already one of the prisoners has shown a worsening of health. Repeated calls have been made to the Minister of Justice by the IRSP, prisoners families, independent TDs and clergy, to resolve this issue. Despite this no response other than those chosen to be leaked to the "Irish Independent" have been forthcoming from her office. This is a woman who is obviously trying to show herself in the same light as Margaret Thatcher and is intent on using the same victims to do it on the backs of." In conclusion, Mr. Gallagher condemned: "The cross-party, cross-border wall of silence that has been in place since the Hunger-Strike began. It is especially more shameful when the silence comes from those 'Republicans' steeped in the history of the Hunger-Strike as a form of protest and who still refer to the Hunger-Strikers in their speeches. Where are your voices now? You will equally share the responsibility with the coalition Government should this Hunger-Strike run its full course." |