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)