State continues to punish one of Limerick Eight

national | rights, freedoms and repression | press release Saturday June 21, 2003 15:55 by Ailín

A Limerick man cannot go on holiday with his family because the police have not returned his passport despite an order from the Special Non-Jury Court.

RSF member Ger Bromell fromWoodview Park had to wave goodbye to his wife and family as they headed off for Spain. Because his passport has not been returned to him despite his being cleared by the court of IRA membership he had no option but to stay behind at the Airport.

"This is yet another example of the constant harassment and intimidation of members of Republican Sinn Féin," said Des Long, the Vice-President of the organisation.

"On the 9th May Mr. Bromell was acquitted in court and walked out a free man, yet his passport has not been returned to him," said Mr. Long. "Other men who were cleared of these spurious and politically inspired charges have also not had their passports returned despite requests from their solicitors.

"In fact belongings of some men are still being held by the police in defiance of court orders. In addition people who put up bail money have not had it returned to date. Yet the state demanded that the bail money should be lodged immediately over 18 months ago.

"The police are operating double standards here and ignoring court orders. They have now prevented an innocent man from joining his family on holiday. He has already been unlawfully imprisoned over Christmas.

"We are now demanding the return of all the property belonging to these men without further delaying tactics from the police."