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03/08/2011
McGuinness Wants Brendan Lillis Freed
The Stormont Deputy First Minister and Sinn Fein MP Martin McGuinness has expressed his concern at the circumstances surrounding the continuing detention of a 'returned to jail' criminal, Brendan Lillis.
The life-long republican's remarks came after a party delegation once again met with Mr Lillis in Maghaberry prison.
"The decision of the British Secretary of State Owen Patterson to revoke the licence of Brendan Lillis is reminiscent of internment without trial.
"I have on several occasions expressed my opposition directly to Mr Patterson in regard to the Government's use of this tactic.
"There can be no doubt that Brendan Lillis is seriously ill and does not represent a threat to anyone.
"It has already been decided that he is too ill to stand trial," Mr McGuinness (pictured) continued.
The Justice Minister, David Ford is aware of the MP's concerns and the view that Brendan Lillis should be released on compassionate and humanitarian grounds: "Brendan Lillis needs to be in a proper hospital in order to receive medical treatment. He should not be in Maghaberry Prison."
He also said that he had sought and received legal opinion on this matter.
"It is crystal clear that Mr Ford has the power to release Brendan Lillis on compassionate and humanitarian grounds.
"The advice I have received states that David Ford has the legal power to act and is not accountable to the Government's Life Sentence Review Commission.
"I trust that David Ford will take the right decision on compassionate and humanitarian grounds," he concluded, last night.
Last week, the DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urged the Justice Minister to "resist political pressure" from those calling for the release of Brendan Lillis - after he received Sinn Fein backing at high level.
"Brendan Lillis is a terrorist and a criminal who was responsible for a number of serious crimes.
"He was convicted, released, and then returned to prison and now there are some like Sinn Fein who are arguing that he should be released once more. His victims must be foremost in our consideration of the matter," said the MP.
He was speaking just after the Sinn Fein MP for West Belfast, Paul Maskey also urged the Justice Minister to "show leadership and release Brendan Lillis".
See: Ford Should 'Resist Calls For Lillis Release'
(BMcC/KMcA)
The life-long republican's remarks came after a party delegation once again met with Mr Lillis in Maghaberry prison.
"The decision of the British Secretary of State Owen Patterson to revoke the licence of Brendan Lillis is reminiscent of internment without trial.
"I have on several occasions expressed my opposition directly to Mr Patterson in regard to the Government's use of this tactic.
"There can be no doubt that Brendan Lillis is seriously ill and does not represent a threat to anyone.
"It has already been decided that he is too ill to stand trial," Mr McGuinness (pictured) continued.
The Justice Minister, David Ford is aware of the MP's concerns and the view that Brendan Lillis should be released on compassionate and humanitarian grounds: "Brendan Lillis needs to be in a proper hospital in order to receive medical treatment. He should not be in Maghaberry Prison."
He also said that he had sought and received legal opinion on this matter.
"It is crystal clear that Mr Ford has the power to release Brendan Lillis on compassionate and humanitarian grounds.
"The advice I have received states that David Ford has the legal power to act and is not accountable to the Government's Life Sentence Review Commission.
"I trust that David Ford will take the right decision on compassionate and humanitarian grounds," he concluded, last night.
Last week, the DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell urged the Justice Minister to "resist political pressure" from those calling for the release of Brendan Lillis - after he received Sinn Fein backing at high level.
"Brendan Lillis is a terrorist and a criminal who was responsible for a number of serious crimes.
"He was convicted, released, and then returned to prison and now there are some like Sinn Fein who are arguing that he should be released once more. His victims must be foremost in our consideration of the matter," said the MP.
He was speaking just after the Sinn Fein MP for West Belfast, Paul Maskey also urged the Justice Minister to "show leadership and release Brendan Lillis".
See: Ford Should 'Resist Calls For Lillis Release'
(BMcC/KMcA)
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28 July 2011
Ford Should 'Resist Calls For Lillis Release'
The DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has urged the Justice Minister David Ford (pictured) to "resist political pressure" from those calling for the release of Brendan Lillis - who has received Sinn Fein backing at high level. "Brendan Lillis is a terrorist and a criminal who was responsible for a number of serious crimes.
Ford Should 'Resist Calls For Lillis Release'
The DUP East Londonderry MP Gregory Campbell has urged the Justice Minister David Ford (pictured) to "resist political pressure" from those calling for the release of Brendan Lillis - who has received Sinn Fein backing at high level. "Brendan Lillis is a terrorist and a criminal who was responsible for a number of serious crimes.
19 August 2011
Re-Arrested Prisoner Freed On Licence
The Justice Minister has defended a controversial decision by the Parole Commissioners to free a republican prisoner.
Re-Arrested Prisoner Freed On Licence
The Justice Minister has defended a controversial decision by the Parole Commissioners to free a republican prisoner.
23 August 2011
DUP Demands Information Over Lillis
The controversial re-release on licence of a republican from prison has continued to make the news this week. DUP MLA Paul Givan yesterday met with the Chief Parole Commissioner to discuss the circumstances surrounding the release of Brendan Lillis.
DUP Demands Information Over Lillis
The controversial re-release on licence of a republican from prison has continued to make the news this week. DUP MLA Paul Givan yesterday met with the Chief Parole Commissioner to discuss the circumstances surrounding the release of Brendan Lillis.
10 August 2011
Lillis In Hospital As SF Calls For Release
Sinn Fein has again called for action on an ill republican prisoner after it emerged that Brendan Lillis was being moved to an outside hospital. The party's MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey (pictured) said: "We have been in contact with Brendan's family, the Justice Department and the prison administration.
Lillis In Hospital As SF Calls For Release
Sinn Fein has again called for action on an ill republican prisoner after it emerged that Brendan Lillis was being moved to an outside hospital. The party's MP for West Belfast Paul Maskey (pictured) said: "We have been in contact with Brendan's family, the Justice Department and the prison administration.
04 August 2011
'No Release' But Lillis Campaign Continues
The campaign to free a sick republican prisoner, Brendan Lillis, is continuing, despite earlier comments from the Justice Minister that he wouldn't be considered for compassionate release.
'No Release' But Lillis Campaign Continues
The campaign to free a sick republican prisoner, Brendan Lillis, is continuing, despite earlier comments from the Justice Minister that he wouldn't be considered for compassionate release.
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