Statement Re Dessie O'Hare Transfer

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Saturday November 19, 2005 21:39 by Seán MacRuadhán. - RSYM sp at rsym dot org 392 Falls Road, Belfast

In response to the recent sensationalist press reporting in the tabloids regarding Dessie O’Hare, A spokesperson for the Free Dessie O’Hare Campaign stated, “The Free Dessie O’Hare Campaign will not be deflected by the recent malicious gutter press journalism concerning the recent transfer of Dessie O’Hare from Castlerea Prison Co Roscommon to Portlaoise Prison Co Laois.

PRESS STATEMENT : RE, DESSIE O’HARE TRANSFER

In response to the recent sensationalist press reporting in the tabloids regarding Dessie O’Hare, A spokesperson for the Free Dessie O’Hare Campaign stated, “The Free Dessie O’Hare Campaign will not be deflected by the recent malicious gutter press journalism concerning the recent transfer of Dessie O’Hare from Castlerea Prison Co Roscommon to Portlaoise Prison Co Laois.

The facts concerning Dessie’s transfer to Portlaoise are as follows, “After returning from temporary release on Wednesday 16th, Prison Officers searched his hand luggage and found alcohol which was contained in two lucozade bottles, in a cosmetic bag they found two sleeping pills and when he was strip searched a mobile phone was recovered. After a disciplinary hearing Dessie was informed that he was been transferred to Portlaoise”.

The public would be better served if the media concentrated on highlighting the continued refusal of the Irish Government to release Dessie O’Hare as a qualifying Prisoner under the terms of the Good Friday agreement, instead of engaging in sensationalist headlines of no substance which only purpose is to demonize Dessie O'Hare and further add to the continuing torment of Dessie’s, wife Claire and there two Children.

STATEMENT ENDS