Newsflash : Family Statement on Marian Price

Family Statement on Marian Price

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McGlinchey and Price family statement issued on 22 November 2012 in relation to the ongoing imprisonment of Marian Price

We as Marian's family are appalled at the lack of urgency being displayed by the Parole Commissioners who are at present reviewing her case. There is a broadly shared view both within our family and the wider community that a stalling process is being employed to delay a determinant decision. We have all been assured that these Commissioners have the powers to deliver such a verdict and this view has been continually reinforced by the Secretaries of State past and present as well as David Ford's Department o Justice and their respective appointees.

It is now 18 months since Owen Paterson employed mechanisms to revoke a license he claimed Marian was held under. She is now imprisoned for offences dating back almost 40 years. Marian has been bailed by the courts yet since May 2011 has remained in solitary confinement in prison and presently is held in an isolated hospital unit.

As a consequence of her treatment in Maghaberry and Hydebank prison Marian's health has continued to deteriorate. The hospital staff now treating Marian's various illnesses have had an arduous task balancing highly toxic medications with other treatments. This ordeal for all involved should be not be happening. The courts have said Marian should be released on bail and all medical opinion has stated she cannot be treated in an environment that is not conductive to recovery. Marian has been in an 'outside' hospital since June and is held under guard with all the rules and regulations applied to a prison regime. The fact that she has been hospitalised by such a lengthy period without improvement and indeed marked deterioration speaks volumes about the chronic state of her health.

Our family can no longer await the pleasure of those with the power to deal expeditiously with this legal limbo. Marian has been forced to endure the brunt of game playing to the detriment of her mental and physical health. We call on those assigned to adjudicate in this travesty of a so called justice system to act now before a shameful situation becomes irredeemable.

The Parole Commissioners have not complied with the obligations apportioned to them. Marian is entitled to have a hearing within a reasonable time under Article 5 of the European Convention. The Commissioners dealing with Marian's case must discharge their statutory legal duties without interference from any source. Their delay in embarking on the pathway to a resolution of this urgent matter is tilting the scales towards further deterioration in Marian's already serious ill health.

At the same time we call on the state to produce the evidence if it exists so that Marian's legal team can defend her. The Parole Commissioners must swiftly enact the duties charged to them and after such a lengthy process come to a just and decisive ruling.

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