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Home Page > News > Bobby Sands family calls for the release of Brendan Lillis from prison

Bobby Sands family calls for the release of Brendan Lillis from prison

West Belfast man remains in hospital wing of prison

CATHY HAYES,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Thursday, July 28, 2011, 7:36 AM

Updated Thursday, July 28, 2011, 7:36 AM

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Supporters campaign for the release of Brendan Lillis

Photo by John Fagan

The family of Bobby Sands, the political prisoner who died on hunger strike in 1981, have called for the release of Brendan Lillis from jail.

Lillis was sentences to life in prison in 1977 on explosive charges. He was released on license after serving 17 years, but was re-arrested in 2009 and was informed he would have to serve the remainder of his life sentence. The new charges against the Belfast man were shelved as due to his poor health, he was considering unfit to stand trial.

The 59-year-old Belfast man is currently being treated for Ankylosing Spondylitis, arthritis of the spine in the hospital wing of Maghaberry prison.

In a statement endorsed by the Sands family and other former 1981 hunger strike member, they call for the release of Lillis.
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Read more:

Northern Ireland man held in jail over 1976 crime despite having served his sentence

New 1981 hunger strike documents disclosed
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“Brendan Lillis is dying in Maghaberry Prison because of the same refusal of government authorities to govern with humanity, compassion, respect for human dignity and in compliance with International Human Rights standards and obligations,” the statement read.

“The1998 Agreement promised a Human Rights framework and Bill of Rights to ensure people here would never again be deemed ineligible for protection of their rights because of their politics or actions,” it added.

Earlier this week parole officers denied his early release from prison.

Lillis’s partner Rosin Lynch held a four-day hunger strike last week to highlight the issue.

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SAirish | Jul 31, 2011, 05:37 AM EDT

If the Lockerby bomber can be released on compasionate grounds so can Brenden Lills. He should have been released long ago.

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seanomelbourne | Jul 29, 2011, 07:48 PM EDT

Realist obviously has no compassion or sense of morality, if he is an apologist for the crown he should say so.

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themurphia | Jul 29, 2011, 09:42 AM EDT

The early release provisions allow the Home Office/NIO to return ex-prisoners who 'breach' their license to jail to serve out the remaining custodial term of their original sentence...So far so good...Under the rules ANY prisoner can be released on 'compassionate grounds' in 'exceptional circumstances'unless they are considered to be a 'danger to the public'...The Parole Board Commissioners have dragged their feet and taken their time making their decision...and they have yet to consider the medical issues...'Breach' of license can be any 'alleged' wrongdoing...In the UK the Justice Minister cannot empty the prisons fast enough to save money...even suggesting a 50%reduction in sentence for rapists at one point... however the NIO seems to have no such budgetry concerns... factor in the cost of medical care..not a problem...ergo this is a clear warning to former/futurerepublican activists that they only have to cross the road before the lights change and they'll be lifted...The NIO doesn't do 'compassion' apparently!

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maireadinmelb | Jul 29, 2011, 07:59 AM EDT

Mr Lillis served his sentenced and was paroled, unless he is FOUND GUILTY by a JURY of his peers he should not be imprisoned! Basic RULE OF LAW foundation of all DEMOCRACY! if you wish to become a terrorist state yourself by taking away the rights and the democracy you demand, you are no better than any terrorist, be you Britain, Israel, China or the good old US of A!!

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Realist | Jul 29, 2011, 07:09 AM EDT

How many prisoners did kindly Mr Lillis take during his time as a terrorist? How many of them were afforded trials, granted rights of appeal, or released on compassionate grounds? I think it's more than a little rich for the likes of this convicted terrorist and his former 'comrades' to demand rights that they cheerfully and without remorse denied their victims. As for Bobby Sands, did he really commit celebrity suicide slimming for Ireland so that Martin McGuinness could play 'deputy dawg' to Peter Robinson whilst helping him to administer the very British rule he once sought by illegal force of arms to subvert?

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barneyjo | Jul 29, 2011, 06:39 AM EDT

As a young man, in 1982, living in Fermanagh, I was proud to be one of the 24000 Nationalist/Republican voters that stood to elect Robert (Bobby) Sands as my member of Parliment(Representative). I attended his funeral, as well as several of the other hunger strikers. I WAS ANGRY, and I carried that anger with me for many years. It carried me forward to support the Sinn Fein policy of Armalite & Ballot box. And then I had the chance to read and listen to Brendan (the dark) Hughes who provided an insight from his intimate involvement with the Hunger strike protest. And what did I learn? I learned that the Sinn Fein Leadership KNEW that they were never going to obtain full political status for prisoners straight off. I learned that the Governmemt were prepared to do a deal whereby political status would be introduced by "stealth" so that it could not be accused of immediate capitulation. I learned that the potential for a deal and a way out of the impasse, which would have saved lives was NEVER conveyed to the fasting prisoners, so that they could debate its merits. That was then and this is now. Like many others, Brendan Lillis was released on parole. He breached the terms of that parole and he has therefore been returned to prison. The need for a further trial does not arise. I wouldnt be surprised if he isnt released sooner rather than later!!

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maireadinmelb | Jul 29, 2011, 05:59 AM EDT

The issue is here that the man was released from prison and since that release he has not been convicted of any offence, he is therefore another victim of internment, Has an appeal been put through to the European Council of Human Rights??? Regardless of his health he should not be held for 2 years without conviction!

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themurphia | Jul 29, 2011, 03:36 AM EDT

I think the 'hunger strike' confusion arises because it was some of Mr Lillis' family/supporters that went on hunger strike...However I agree with George these protests only hurt the protestors...Irish people have got to stop 'self-harming'...The Parole Boards Commissioners are of the opinion that Mr Lillis is receiving 'excellent' care in hospital better than he would receive if released...if it was just the case that he was sick then this technically could be grounds for saying the 'exceptional circumstances' criteria are not made out...however it ignores the fact that the man is dying which in my opinion is the 'exceptional circumstance' that should trigger the 'compassionate release' criteria...also there are the emotional and mental health issues not to mention the dignity of a dying man...this is obviously a political decision a clear warning to any former or would be Republicans that the NIO will use every legal loophole available to them...

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irismonkey48 | Jul 29, 2011, 12:10 AM EDT

It saddens to think that tonight Brendan Lillis is still in prison, in pain and it is being said that he has given up. I have sent many e-mails,one in which I asked David Ford how can this man be a threat when he cant even get out of bed? Apparently the reason he wont release Brendan is that it is felt he is a danger to the public. Totally outrageous.

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lindethiel | Jul 28, 2011, 07:43 PM EDT

To George Dillon. Brendan Lillis is not on a hunger strike. He's dieing. He just would like to go home to those who love him to die in peace. TAL

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seanomelbourne | Jul 28, 2011, 07:10 PM EDT

Nothing has changed for nationalists in the judicial system of occupied Ireland, Marian McGlinchy is also incarcerated on dubious charges.Any nationalist free on license is held hostage by this agreement. That is one of the reasons why I object to nationalists joining the RUC/PSNI is that they are aiding and abetting the onesided justice system.Release Mr Lillis forthwith you meanspirited lot of morons

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Searlit | Jul 28, 2011, 06:50 PM EDT

You should not have called me names, GeorgeDillon.

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TexasCorker | Jul 28, 2011, 05:36 PM EDT

Brendan, 59, a political prisoner in Maghaberry, has spent more than 600 days in the infirmary of the prison without being able to receive appropriate treatment for a serious illness. And this while the charges against him lapsed months ago. Recently, the Supreme Court in Belfast ruled that Brendan is unable to stand trial because of his health and therefore all the charges against him were dropped. Nevertheless, he has remained locked in the infirmary of the prison at Maghaberry. He is currently confined to bed, unable to speak at length, in a windowless cell. His condition is rapidly deteriorating. When he went to prison in 2009, weighed 79 kilos Brendan, but now he weighs 37. Basic Human Rights violations... TAL

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themurphia | Jul 28, 2011, 05:20 PM EDT

Brenda Lillis is not on hunger strike...he was returned to prison for an laleged breach od his early release licence...the charges which allowed the Home Office to revoke his license have since been dropped however he is being kept in prison because the Justice Minister on the advice of the Parole Board Life Sentence Commiioners believe he is a danger to the public altho' he has been deemed too ill to satnd trial..the PBLSC have not given reasons for their decion and as yet the medical grounds for compassionate release have not been considered altho he has a degenerative condition that means he has a very short life expectancy...Basically it's a political decision there is no need to keep him in prison for legal reasons he is bedridden unable to move and in constant pain...As for Thatcher she's now in her dotage dribbling like a baby and in a wheelchair...schadenfreude..!

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GeorgeDillon | Jul 28, 2011, 03:48 PM EDT

Searlit, you're dating yourself. But I am of the same vintage, as while still a teenager I went for the first time to Ireland in early May 1981. I arrived in Dublin on the morning Sands died. I didn't go to his funeral, but I was in Tyrone a week or two later for the funeral of Francis Hughes, a man who stood in an unbroken line of Tyrone resistance that goes back to Hugh O'Neill in the late 16th century. Looking back on those terrible times, I see Sands, Hughes etc. as more brave than smart. In hindsight what was the point of it all? And the republicans should have called off the hunger strike immediately Sands died. It was lunacy for them to think that the more deaths the more pressure on the British. The reality was the exact opposite. Whatever about Sands, the other nine men wasted their lives. They too were extraordinarily brave, because they could see that they faced certain death. I left Ireland that summer after Joseph McDonald died. He was a true hero, but I also think his act was folly. He was married to a real nice gal, she stood by him till the end. I think they had children. It was one thing for him to sacrifice himself, but it was crazy for him to sacrifice his family. I often wonder where the wives of those men are today. They are getting on in years, must have many melancholy thoughts of what might have been. I don't know anything about this guy Lillis, but I would ask him to learn from history that hunger strikes are no good.

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