Statement from Margaretta D'Arcy on her Release from Mountjoy Prison

by Irn Bru Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:40 pm

Fri, 21/03/2014 - 16:32 by shannonwatch

At a News Conference in Buswell's Hotel today (Saturday, March 22, 2014), immediately following her release from Mountjoy Prison, peace activist, artist and human rights campaigner, Margaretta D'Arcy, discussed her nine weeks in both Limerick and Mountjoy Prisons and the reasons for her arrest.

Ms D'Arcy continues to refute the charge that she and her co-defendant, Niall Farrell, were interfering with the 'proper use' of Shannon Airport by going onto the runway in October 2012 and again in September 2013 (for which a second trial is pending). They were in fact highlighting the 'improper use' of Shannon Airport by the US military, who have colonised an Irish airport. Since 2003, over 2 million US soldiers and their weapons and thousands of US military aircraft and cargo planes have transited Shannon Airport on their way to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and elsewhere. The Government of neutral Ireland has 'improperly' facilitated these movements of troops and weaponry - which could easily have included killer drones and depleted uranium - through Shannon, and failed to inspect any of these military cargos. They've also never inspected any of the CIA planes implicated in illegal rendition flights.

"It is a fact", stated Ms D'Arcy, "that illegal 'extraordinary rendition' CIA teams travelled via Shannon en route to kidnap individuals and transfer them to torture venues. This is in contravention of the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Convention against Torture. Our Government has turned a blind eye. They are complicit in these crimes."

"President Michael D Higgins has called on Irish citizens to have 'conversations' in public places as part of active citizenship. I have sat on a runway, had a court hearing and gone to prison in an attempt to have this 'conversation'."

"I am facing another trial in exactly three months' time. I hope to continue this conversation/dialogue with the Irish people and our Government and judiciary, and to highlight what we have sacrificed as Irish and world citizens by allowing this colonising of our airport for illegal and immoral purposes."

Ms D'Arcy added: "I will also be highlighting the conditions in our prisons, which I have unfortunately been able to experience in both Limerick and Dublin."

ENDS

http://www.shannonwatch.org/blog/statement-margaretta-darcy-her-release-mountjoy-prison

She gave up her liberty in her fight for truth and justice and a cause that she thought was worth fighting for. A wonderful woman.

We had a thread about her before on this so let's hope that some of the hurtful comments that were said on that one are not repeated on this one.

by Guest Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:42 pm

Absolutely wonderful woman, sticks by what she believes in come what may. More power to her elbow, and the rest of her.

by Irn Bru Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:52 pm

Sassy wrote:Absolutely wonderful woman, sticks by what she believes in come what may. More power to her elbow, and the rest of her.

Exactly. Some people are just prepared to stand up and be counted on something they truly believe in and why not.

by Guest Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:55 pm

I'm reminded of what they said about Tony Benn in the HOC. It's from a Salvation Army hymn, but it was so absolutely true about him, and it's true about her.

Dare to be a Daniel
Dare to stand alone
Dare to have a purpose firm
Dare to make it known.

by Irn Bru Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:05 pm

And she still has to face a trial in 3 months time.

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Statement from Margaretta D'Arcy on her Release from Mountjoy Prison

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