A big thank you from Fintan Lane

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Sunday January 18, 2004 16:42

by Fintan Lane - Cork Anti-War Campaign and IAWM

As readers of indymedia.ie are aware, I was released from Limerick Prison on Friday, 9th January, having served about 45 days of a 60-day sentence arising from my participation in an anti-war mass trespass at Shannon airport in October 2002. Readers will be happy to know that I left the prison without paying one cent of the E750 fine imposed by the state and, consequently, am in very good spirits.

This is just a note to thank everybody who offered solidarity, support, or helped in any way during my time in Limerick Prison. I received roughly 250 letters and cards while inside and each one was hugely appreciated; prison is an isolating experience and it's amazing how important mail becomes in terms of breaking down that sense of isolation. It was impossible for me to write back to everybody, but I intend to do so over the next few weeks. I also received a large number of books, but unfortunately many of these were removed from their packages/envelopes and disconnected from their covering letters before I got them, so I don't know who sent some of them. So, a big thank you to everybody who sent books, earplugs, and other items! Much appreciated!!

The extent of solidarity was incredibly moving; and came from all sorts of individuals, organisations, and sections of the anti-war movement. Letters arrived from as far away as Finland and the United States. I know that indymedia itself was especially supportive and I'd like to thank everybody involved, but especially JD. Thanks for the support and encouragement - it was extremely important in terms of highlighting my case and hence the issues involved.

The Cork Anti-War Campaign was a model of professionalism and did incredible work while I was in Limerick. I'd like to thank everybody involved, but most especially Dominic Carroll who was indefatigable as a co-ordinator. His sense of comradeship and friendship are remarkable, and I'm sure the other members of CAWC will understand why I single him out for particular thanks. The support network that was established worked extremely well and highlights the importance of such mechanisms. So, a big, big thank you to everybody in Cork! I reckon two-thirds of the mail that I received came from Cork city and county, which is testament to the work that the anti-war movement has done in the region over the past eighteen months. Well done the PRC!!

Finally, Deirdre Clancy was a great source of strength, and I'm seriously understating things when I say that I greatly appreciated her support and sense of solidarity. The Catholic Worker Five will be before the courts themselves later this year and it is vital that they receive the support of everybody within the movement. These brave people (Deirdre Clancy, Nuin Dunlop, Karen Fallon, Damien Moran and Ciaron O'Reilly) are facing the possibility of serious time because of their decommissioning of a US warplane at Shannon airport. It is important that we all stand in solidarity with them, and not in some sort of token manner, but in a way that shows genuine empathy with their action.

So, once again, a big thank you to indymedia (a great resource!) and to all those who offered support over the past weeks. My involvement in the mass trespass was an act of conscience, and I never had any intention of paying a fine for the right to protest against the integration of an Irish civilian airport into the US war machine. Civil disobedience is a morally and politically appropriate response when human lives are at stake.

Care/act.