VIGIL at Limerick Prison for Eoin Rice

limerick | crime and justice | event notice Sunday February 15, 2004 19:53 by Tim Hourigan 087-9777703

Release Eoin Rice NOW.

Eoin Rice was jailed on Thursday for refusing to accept drachonian bail conditions imposed by Judge Joseph Mangan.
Supporters are asked to assemble on Monday 16th February at the front of Limerick Prison to call for the immediate release of Eoin Rice, who is currently on hunger strike to protest his treatment by the judge.

Eoin Rice was appearing in court on charges of alleged dangerous driving and breach of the peace.
He was not at an anti-war demo at the time, but the judge knows him as an anti-war activist.
The Judge decided to hand out a ban from Clare, which seems to be his favourite tactic with peace activists. Approximately 20 peace activists have been banned from Clare by Judge Mangan.
Without any request from the Prosecution to amend bail, the judge sought to ban Eoin, from Clare, even though he has not been convicted, and even though a dangerous driving charge or breach of the peace charge do not carry such a sentence upon conviction.

The judge is attempting to unfairly restrict Eoin's right to freedom of movement, and this seems to be based on a prejudice against peace activists.
Eoin has instructed his solicitor to apply to the High Court to have these bail conditions quashed and restore the original conditions, which required payment of 5 euro, and had no restrictions on movement.

To show your solidarity with Eoin, please join us at the front of Limerick prison on Monday 16th February at 6pm.