Conference tallis::celt

1041.0. "Irelands Miscarriage of Justice." by MACNAS::JDOOLEY (This PC does NOT run DOS) Wed Apr 29 1992 07:30

    Edward N."Nicky" Kelly, the famous prisoner of a miscarriage of justice
    after his conviction for a train robbery in 1974, has received a state 
    Pardon from the President yesterday.
    
    His case was fought for by among others, Christy Moore, the ballad
    singer whose song, the Wicklow Boy ,is based on the Nicky Kelly saga.
    
    Linguistic analysis of the wording used in the signed confession by
    Kelly by a Scots researcher had shown it to be the work of more than
    one man and that none of it was the work ok Kelly, in spite of sworn
    evidence that it was his confession in his own words.
    
    There is also evidence of illtreatment and beating of Kelly, which had
    been explained by the State as being self inflicted but which,in expert
    opinion, could not have been. THe fact that Kelly absconded on bail
    before his final sentencing led to his imprisonment in spite of the fact
    that his co-accused were released for lack of evidence. Sentenced in
    absentia, Kelly expected also to be let off the charges but was instead
    imprisoned on his return from refuge in the States. After 4 years and a
    hunger strike he was released on "humanitarian grounds" by the then
    justice minister, Micheal Noonan.
    
    There is as yet no plans for the State to prosecute members of the
    force who must have fabricated the confession and forced Kelly to sign
    it. Until this aspect of the case is cleared up, there can be no
    feeling of confidence in the Irish Public for their Police Force.
    The Irish Republic, so long used to casting aspersions and criticisms
    regarding repressive measures against political activists in other
    regimes now finds itself tainted with the same brush.
    

    The song by Christy Moore is fantastic. I often listen to it here. Good
    old Burns sent me the cassette.
    
    			Give the Wicklow Boy back his freedom	
    			We must give him back his liberty
    			or are we going to keep him in chains
    			while those that framed him up hold the key.
    
    Ren�

    
    Those of us who live in Galway probably remember Peter Pringle
    who was jailed in the early '80s for the shooting of Garda John Morley
    during a bank raid. Pringle's sentence was commuted to life, he was
    originaly condemned to death.
    
    A newspaper article recently called attention to some of the dubious
    evidence on which Pringle was convicted - do not be surprised if 
    he becomes the next "cause celebre".
    
    Toby

<<Pringle's sentence was commuted to life, he was originaly condemned to death.
    
    What??  Ireland has the death penalty?