“They tried to break the will of the prisoners but they failed” – Pádraic MacCoitir

Following the publication of ‘The Independent Panel of Inquiry into the circumstances of the H Block & Armagh Prison Protests 1976-1981’, Pádraic MacCoitir, Lasair Dhearg spokesperson and political ex-prisoner comments:

“Having read some excerpts from the report, I’m sure I’m not the only one who was on the blanket and no-wash protests who will welcome the findings.”

“For many years the British interned and sentenced thousands of Irish Republicans and there have been many campaigns to get to the truth but the Brits have ignored them. Should people stop campaigning? I would say no.”

“Reading the reports in the media in recent days I’m cynical of some screws’ and governors’ comments. The conditions in the H-Blocks and Armagh were atrocious and most of the screws willingly carried out orders from those in Stormont to break the will of the prisoners but they failed. A woman prisoner testified saying that whilst pregnant she too was subjected to torture and when brought to an ousdide hospital for the birth of her child she was handcuffed to the bed and a female and male screw as well as a cop were in the labour unit when she gave birth. The governor of Armagh gaol was well aware of this.”

“In the H-Blocks I was beaten and I saw many men get far worse beatings and every governor in the gaol knew what we were going through. Reports were no doubt sent to their masters in Stormont but nothing was done. Indeed as the months and years went by those beatings continued to get even worse.”

“I remember a substance being sprayed into our cells and it was a lot stronger than the disinfectant they had previously used. Some men who were later diagnosed with cancer are adamant it was this substance that led to them getting the disease.”

“People like Phil Scraton have to be praised for highlighting the prison issues and I have spoken to many ex-blanketmen and encouraged them to contact a solicitor and get it down on record what they endured. I can understand some cynicism but if we were to remain silent the British government will just ignore us.”

“I obviously don’t have any faith in getting justice in the short term but like many other issues the British need to be held accountable.”