Assembly clash over Price detention

Published Monday, 30 January 2012

An SDLP member has warned the Assembly that the ongoing detention of alleged dissident republican Marian Price is being used as a "recruitment tool" by militants.

The Assembly clash over a motion on Marian Price. (© UTV)

Foyle MLA Pat Ramsey put forward a motion at Stormont on Monday calling for Justice Minister David Ford to review the conditions of her detainment in Maghaberry.

She has been held there since May 2011, when Owen Paterson revoked the Old Bailey bomber's release from prison on licence.

Mr Ramsey said the move means dissident republicans will argue that the British government can override the local justice system at will.

He said: "These groups have been able to stoke a sense of injustice in the community, to use it for political gain and to seek to mobilise young people in their actions against the democratic will of the people.

"Those of us in elected office must do everything within our power to prevent dissidents from succeeding.

"Unfortunately however the actions of the secretary of state have unintentionally provided a recruiting tool for those individuals who are so intent on reigniting violence."

Price was granted bail last May after being charged with supporting an illegal organisation - but she was not released because Secretary of State Owen Paterson made a separate decision to revoke her early release licence.

The 57-year-old, who along with her sister Dolours was jailed in 1973 for her role in a republican bombing campaign in London, was accused of holding a speech for a masked man at a dissident rally on Easter Sunday.

Unionist politicians reacted angrily to the motion.

Paul Givan of the DUP said: "Marian Price was convicted because of her part in an IRA bombing unit that was responsible for bombing the mainland, the Old Bailey being the most notorious one out of them all, and was given a life sentence in 1973.

"So that's who we are talking about - not some little old lady who has been sent to prison because they stole a bag of peas out a shop.

"Let's get real about what we are discussing in this chamber and why the SDLP are now wanting to act as proxy for the 32 Sovereign County movement is beyond me as to why they would want to do this."

Before the debate started, Speaker Willie Hay warned members that they should not make any comments that would undermine ongoing legal proceedings involving Price.

Comments

12 Comments

Wee Grimmy in West Belfast wrote (110 days ago):

I wonder would people like Billy ask for equality and justice for the Bloody Sunday innocent? Strange how there's unionist idignation about an SDLP councillor highlighting the case of Marian Price yet unionism was strangley silent when a TUV councillor did the same with mass murderer Torrens Knight. I care nothing for this woman's politics yet her case should be brought to a speedy triel to settle the issue once and for all.

Esdale in Belfast. wrote (112 days ago):

I still say that those found guilty of terrorist crimes past and present without exception should be " HUNG BY THE NECK UNTIL DEAD " or alternately put up against a wall and shot for treasonous acts against the state. No mercy whatsoever should be shown to terrorist commanders, murderers and bombers.

OldSod in Fermanagh wrote (112 days ago):

If we give in to the dissidents demands and release her, it will be a victory to the dissidents and she will be a hero and recruiting tool for the "cause". If we keep her locked up for breaching her license, then the dissidents use her as a recruitment tool for the "cause" and as a martyr. Its not much of a choice. Personally I think that the kind of people who will join the dissidents, are going to join no matter what happens to Price. The dissidents were plotting murder and mayhem before she was locked up and they continue to do so now,... just without someone to hold their murder threatening speeches at rallies.

damian in mexico wrote (112 days ago):

If the full edvidence is there that she collaborated with terrorists lock her up and throw away the key.

Sarah in Boston wrote (112 days ago):

Isnt Marian Price spokesperson for the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association? So isnt her association with felons a foregone conclusion. Wasn't she one of the people who was forefed by the British? Maybe I have the wrong person? Oh yeah, one more thing, Wasn't she issued bail for these associations? Why, when she was granted bail was she refused it if not for political reasons. I mean it wasnt legal reasons or the judge wouldnt have granted her bail. Remember, they tried to lock up mrs McGlinchey in 2009 too but they couldnt make the charges stick. Seems to me she is being targeted for her current political beleifs and not for her past actions.

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