Saturday, February 23, 2013
MY HEART BROKEN BY MARION'S CASE
I don’t think anyone has ever made a greater impression on me than Marian Price.
She and her late sister Dolours are, of course, iconic figures in the Irish freedom struggle. Indeed, there are probably no two women or men to match their heroism.
And, yet, it was not Marian’s heroic stature that so deeply moved me. It was, rather, her gentleness, soft-spokeness and loveliness… That despite all the outrageous, vengeful, cruel and vicious treatment by the British-Northern Ireland Government, she remains a dignified, gracious and beautiful human being.
I visited Marian in her prison-hospital in Belfast on Friday, February22, 2013. Along with her attorney and husband, I spent ninety minutes with her.
I had gone back to Ireland for a family funeral. And the first thing Marian did was to express condolences to me.
There she was --- almost two years in prison, six months gravely ill in prison- hospital, and just trying to recover from the death of her beloved sister --- and she the takes time to comfort me!
The British-Northern Ireland Government is criminal in its treatment of Marian. Anyone in a position of power in Ireland – North or South – who has turned their back on Marian is criminally irresponsible. Shame on them, and shame on former colleagues who have deserted her. This is one of the most shameless incidents in the sad history of the Irish struggle.
How can one have confidence in a government that treats Marian Price in such a vicious way? Is this what we were promised by the peace-process? Is this what the political Parties, North and South, are asking Irish-Americans to support?
Friday, February 22, 2013
Fr. Mc Manus Visits Marian Price
County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Friday, February 22, 2013 –
Marian Price was visited today by Fr. Sean Mc Manus, President of the Washington-based Irish National Caucus. He spent ninety minutes with her, accompanied by her husband Jerry Mc Glinchey and her attorney Peter Corrigan.
Fr. Mc Manus said: I have been raising Marian’s case with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Congress, and I wanted to visit her to show both personal and Irish-American solidarity. My heart was broken and my soul outraged by how this heroic Irishwoman has been treated. This seriously ill, lovely, soft-spoken woman should not be in prison. Her persecution – yes, persecution – makes a mockery of the Irish peace-process, questions the whole judicial system, and raises doubt as to whether there has, indeed, been a “ new beginning” to policing in Northern Ireland. Surely Peter Robinson, Martin Mc Guinness, David Ford and the NI Secretary of State must know that there is something rotten with their government’s treatment of Marian.”
Fr. Mc Manus added: "I was so impressed that despite all the inhumane treatment and judicial misconduct, Marian has maintained her dignity and self-respect.”
He concluded: “ When Peter Robinson and Martin Mc Guinness come to Washington for their annual St. Patrick’s Day visit, the hard truth will be this: No matter how nice or encouraging their words, their message will be overshadowed by their government’s treatment of Marian. Her cruel mistreatment will mock their words, telling Washington there is still something rotten in Northern Ireland.”
END