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Letters to the Editor, The Sunday Times
5th September 2006
Dear Editor
Your
scurrilous piece by an anonymous hack in the pseudonym column of the 3rd September on Cuba
and Sean Garland, President of the Workers’ Party, is typical of what we have come to expect from The Sunday Times in
regard to facts.
Just
for the record, if you deign to publish them, I will set them out for you.
The Cuban
ambassador to Ireland, Mr Noel Carrillo, was invited to Waterford by the Mayor, independent councillor
‘Cha’ O’Neill, through my good offices. The mayor and his staff, plus councillors from the other political
parties and representatives from Trade Unions and business, and members of the press met with ambassador Carrillo in Waterford City Hall.
The ambassador received a very warm and generous welcome from the Mayor and all those present. A gift of Waterford Glass was
presented by Mayor O’Neill to the ambassador.
Afterwards
the Ambassador visited the Waterford Glass factory where he met with management, trade union leaders and workers on the factory
floor during a tour of the works. Here he received gifts of Waterford Glass from management, trade union leaders, and from
the workers in the factory.
He later
met with members of the Workers’ Party and members of the Waterford Cuba Support Group. At this meeting he was presented
with a gift of pottery made by a local artist. The Workers’ Party did not, as you report, make any gift to the Ambassador.
The snide
comment that the US SS could have “nabbed” Sean Garland in Waterford
is again typical of your false and malicious comments in the case of Sean Garland and the US SS. Over the past years Sean
Garland has consistently refuted allegations made by the US SS. Since his arrest, more akin to a kidnapping, in Belfast last October no evidence has been produced to prove any of the
allegations made by the US SS. Sean Garland, you may be surprised to learn, has continued to fulfil his role and duties as
President of the Workers’ Party since last October. Over that time he has attended many public meetings and
events, which activity gives the lie to your remarks about Sean Garland’s visit to Waterford.
The insulting
cartoon alongside of your smear is beneath contempt. Of course the owner of the Sunday Times, Rupert Murdoch’s hate
for Cuba and Socialism is well documented.
It is, therefore, no surprise to see such hate-filled pieces about Cuba
and the Workers’ Party in his paper.
Yours
etc
Cllr
John Halligan
Waterford City Council
Waterford.
086 -
267 8622
The above letter to The Sunday Times was in
response to a vicious anonymous attack on The Workers’ Party and Sean Garland was not published by the Editor of The
Sunday Times on 10th September. It quoted one sentence from the letter
“The WP did not present the Cuban Ambassador with a gift”. Nothing
else.
We are placing it on the website to once again
show how the so-called “free press” misuses its power.
Nobody can be in doubt that those who follow
the Murdoch line are totally contemptuous of any democratic values. As we have stated before Murdoch's lackeys showed
their worth in relation to the hysteria generated by the Bush/Cheyney clique to justify the illegal invasion of Iraq.
Murdoch controls a vast empire of News media, TV/radio and approximately 160 newspapers around the world. In their campaign
to invade Iraq, not one of these newspapers had a different view on the war to Murdoch.
So we are not surprised when the Murdoch media attacks us and then refuses to give a right of reply.
What is obviously required in Ireland is an independent press council with teeth which will
guarantee all citizens justice and impartiality in the media.
Waterford Workers’ Party Councillor and Party Vice-President, John Halligan < CLLRHALLIGAN@REPRESENTATIVE.COM> wrote this letter to the Editor of the Sunday Independent, which was not published, in response to
a piece (July 30th, 2006) by the paper’s columnist and drama critic Emer O’Kelly on the role of deities
summoned up to justify murder. But, he wrote, when she looked at recent Irish history she lost the plot.
2 August 2006
Dear Editor
I have long admired Emer O'Kelly's column in the Sunday Independent for her forthright views and comments
on many social and political issues from which many commentators shy away. Her column on Sunday 30th July disappoints in many
ways. She covers a number of issues which deserve fuller coverage. Few would argue with her as to the use that terrorists
of all hues, including Hizbollah (Army of God) and President Bush and his neo-con clique make of the word god.
When she deals with recent Irish history she loses the plot. It is an historic fact that many Irish nationalists
not only flirted with fascism/Nazism in the 1930s and 1940s but, as with O'Duffy's Blueshirts, went to Spain to assist Franco.
Along with O'Duffy's Blueshirts, blessed on their way to Spain by bishops, there were also members and ex-members of the IRA.
On the side of the Spanish Republic there were some hundreds of IRA and ex-IRA members, most notably Frank
Ryan, Kit Conway and the recently deceased Mick O'Riordan. Many Irish republicans in the International Brigade in Spain lost
their lives. The central point I would stress and which many commentators, not only Emer, have made and continue to make is
the serious mistake of equating nationalism with republicanism.
The IRA which had steadily become divorced from reality in the 1930s was at the end of that decade led by
narrow-minded men who had no clear political aim and who were easily manipulated by other and more stupid men, such as Sean
Russell. They undertook a mindless bombing campaign in Britain and many innocent people died.
The message that Frank Ryan and his comrades had tried to get the IRA to accept was that a struggle divorced
from the people and in a cul-de-sac of militarism would always fail. Ryan, George Gilmore and Peadar O'Donnell had recognised
that unless the teachings and example of Connolly and Liam Mellowes were followed, no struggle could be won. Emer is wrong
to take the actions and mentality of a few as the views of the majority of the people.
Many organisations and groups have over the years claimed to be the inheritors of the spirit and principles
of 1916. Very few succeeded in living up to their claim and most certainly those narrow-minded nationalists of the 1930s and
1940s who called themselves “republicans” did not. The past 35 years and more in Northern Ireland is a clear demonstration
that narrow nationalism still exists and regrettably still receives substantial support from one section of the population
in Northern Ireland.
The Provisional IRA are the inheritors of that narrow nationalism that had control of the IRA in the 1930s
and 1940s. That much of the country has moved away from the sterile, indeed the evil ideology of sectarian nationalism is
due largely to men such as Frank Ryan, Kit Conway, Mick O'Riordan and Cathal Goulding.
Emer's comment that the current situation in the Middle East is a boon to Ireland's dormant anti-Semitism
does a grave disservice to the vast majority of Irish people who are opposed not to Judaism but to the decades-long occupation
and terror imposed by Israel on the Palestinian and now the Lebanese people. Let me make it clear that I agree with Emer in
her total condemnation of terrorism no matter from what source, be it state, religious or paramilitary. We see it in the present
spate of violence in the Middle East, most especially in the indiscriminate bombing and shelling by Israeli armed forces of
power stations, hospitals, schools and apartment blocks housing innocent men, women and children. The reaction of Israel to
the actions of Hizbollah or Hamas will only sow dragons teeth. The only way in which Israel and its neighbours can achieve
lasting peace is through a reformed, democratic and strengthened United Nations able and willing to enforce its resolutions
on all sides.
It is incontrovertible that Israel would not continue in existence without the support of the United States,
which gives Israel billions of dollars every year through an unlimited supply of the most advanced weaponry and finance. Israel
is a client state of the United States as is Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which are both propped up financially and militarily
and their ruling elites kept secure with Washington's power.
My last point relates to her attack on the anti-globalisation movement. There is no doubt that within such
a huge movement one will find hangers-on, misfits, anarchists and agent provocateurs seeking to cause damage and disruption
to the movement. Not to recognise that the anti-globalisation movement is based on real issues which affect the lives of billions
of people throughout the world is a serious error. There is nothing philanthropic about globalisation. It is a construct of
capitalism to make it easier for capitalism to operate in every country in the world and to ensure that capitalism receives
maximum profit. The recent collapse of the WTO talks in Doha is confirmation of who decides. Once again the United States
has demonstrated that its interests come first and the rest of humanity must conform to Washington's demands.
Councillor John Halligan, Waterford - The Workers' Party
Media Attacks Continue
The concerted barrage of media attack to which Sean Garland, on both a personal and political level, has been subjected
over the last few years continues unabated. It is of course no coincidence that the stable of papers controlled by Sir Antony
O'Reilly - a lifelong carpetbagger and enemy of the Irish working class - is to the forefront in these attacks.
One of the most recent attacks occured in the "Sunday Independent" edition of January 29th in an article (reprinted below)
under the byline of Don Lavery.
The Headline alone sets the tone of the article:
"Sean Garland Shunned"
"The Labour Party yesterday distanced itself from the appearance of a former Official IRA
leader, wanted in the US for allegedly forging millions of dollars, at a conference in Dublin, organised on the future of
Europe.
"Sean Garland, the president of The Workers’ Party, intervened from the floor at the
conference in the Mansion House to criticise EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.
"n an audience debate on the EU Services Directive, Mr Garland said of Commission McCreevy:
“The less said about him the better”.
"He also criticised the lack of help given to left-of-centre politicians to promote their
policies in the EU.
"Garland is wanted by the US on a warrant alleging he was involved in forging huge quantities
of $100 bills.
"A Labour Party spokesman said Mr Garland had not been invited to the conference".
Right of Reply Refused
Within two days of this scurrilous article appearing the Workers' Party wrote a detailed reply
in the form of a letter to the editor. Surprise, Surprise, the reply was never printed by the Independent. The Text of the
reply is printed below.
Dear Editor
Your report, by a Don Lavery, in The Sunday Independent of 29th January last headlined "Sean
Garland Shunned" again underscores the serious lack of credible, or even honest, journalism in Ireland. If
this Don Lavery was
at the Labour Party conference on "A People's Dialogue in Europe", he must have spent most
of it asleep.
I would like to correct a number of falsehoods in your report.
1. Sean Garland was at the conference at the invitation of Ruairi Quinn
TD, Labour Party spokesman on Europe and organiser of the conference. I attended the conference with Sean Garland.
2. The criticism of Commissioneer Charlie McCreevy was at the tailend of
Sean Garland's contribution which dealt mostly with the importance and potential of the Labour Party initiative which was
to involve and inform citizens across the EU as to what was happening in the EU.
The Workers' Party has produced a detailed policy document on Europe's furture recently, called "Towards A Europe
Fit For Workers" and has things to say on these key issues.
3. Sean Garland did not, as this Don Lavery states, criticise the lack
of help given to Left of Centre parties to promote their policies in Europe. He made the point that a people's dialogue
should be inclusive and in this instance must include organisations and parties covering
a wide range of issues, such as peace, and the environment, in order to be successful. He quoted the example
of the Sao Paulo Forum initiative, now running for over 12 years in which Central and South American progressive organisations have led to revival and success for
progressive politics in the Americas.
4. He also stated that the Left in Ireland needed its own genuine
social research centre, or think tank which would analyse and disseminate accurate and informed
information which would assist the working-class in playing a more meaningful
and ciritical role in EU politics. He made the point that
the Institute of European Affairs served a different section of society in its work.
5. The very fact that your paper carried no report of this important conference
says it all. Obviously the report, which concentrated on Sean Garland's presence at the conference, was published at
the behest of other people or organisations. The implication that Sean Garland gatecrashed
a Labour Party conference is easily refuted. He moved freely about the hall and spoke to reporters and other participants.
Indeed Tony Brown, Labour Party representative at the Forum
on Europe, a speaker at the Conference recognised Sean Garland's attendance in the hall and mentioned Sean Garland's
participation at the Forum on Europe, where he is The Workers' Party representative in the
Special Observer Panel.
Sincerely
Padraig Mannion
Research Officer
The Workers' Party
23 Hill Street
Dublin 1
31st January 2006
Case Adjourned 'Sine Die'
In the Belfast Crown Court on Wednesday 18th January 2006 the Crown Prosecution Service applied for, and was granted, an
adjournement 'Sine Die' (ie an indefinite adjournement) of the case seeking the extradition of Sean Garland to the United
States.
As Sean Garland was not in court (for reasons explained in detail elsewhere on this site) the case could not be heard.
Therefore, the case could either be struck out or adjourned.
At the same hearing the Crown also sought the estreatment of the £30,000 bail money which had been posted to secure
Sean's release from police custody. After intense legal argument the jugde decided that £1,000 should be returned to each
of the bail bondsmen but that the remainder should be forfeit. As there were three bondsmen that means that £3,000 was returned
but £27,000 was forfeited to the Crown.
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| GLATUC "Protests at US Action Against Irish Activist"
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Greater London Association of Trade Union Councils
President: Mrs Linda Kietz
Secretary: Mick Houghton
16
Mansell Road, Acton, London W3 7QH
Peter Hain MP
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
15th November 2005
Dear Peter
Re: Sean Garland – extradition application by the United
States
GLATUC shares the concerns expressed by the Dublin Trades Council that a resident of the Irish Republic is being
sought for extradition to a different jurisdiction whilst visiting the United Kingdom. We are also concerned at the increasing
use by the US of procedures in violation of basic human rights.
This County Association of Trade Union Councils notes
with concern that the Court in Northern Ireland has placed serious restrictions on Sean Garland, President of the Workers
Party, prohibiting him from leaving that jurisdiction pending the Hearing of an application for his extradition to the US.
Moreover, the Association is also concerned that no evidence has been advanced in support of the application, despite suggestions
that an investigation has been underway for fifteen years.
The Association also notes that Sean Garland, who is 71
years old and in declining health, has not been charged with any crime and is concerned that his rights under Article 8 of
the European Convention on Human Rights may be violated in that he has not been offered the right to a fair trial.
This Association also notes that EDM 241, signed by 125 members of the House, recognises that the current extradition
arrangement with the US covering British Subjects is not fit for purpose. ‘That this House urges the Government to defer
approving the extradition to the United States of any British subjects until such time as the United States Senate ratifies
the Extradition Treaty of March 2003; further calls upon the Government to amend the Extradition Act 2003 (Designation of
Part 2 Territories) Order 2003 and replace it with a new Order which requires the United States to supply prima facie evidence
to accompany its extradition requests to the United Kingdom, as the UK has to do in relation to an extradition from the US;
and further calls upon the Government to amend the Extradition Act 2003 to reflect the terms of Article 7 of the European
Convention of Extradition on Place of Commission.’
We hope that this case can be dropped and that Sean Garland can return home.
Yours sincerely
Mick Houghton
Secretary
GLATUC
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| GLATUC Website : www.glatuc.org.uk | |
Irish Congress of Trade Unions Opposes Extradition of Sean Garland.
The national executive of the ICTU, at its regular monthly meeting in NOvember, passed a motion condemning the arrest
of Sean Garland in Belfast on foot of a US warrant for his extradition to the USA.
The motion also condemned any proposal to extraditive an Irish citizen from the UK legal jurisdiction to the USA as an
attack on the basic civil rights and civil liberties as guaranteed under our constitution.
International Meeting of Communist and Workers' Parties (Athens 18-20th November 2005)
adopts
APPEAL AGAINST THE EXTRADITION OF COMRADE SEAN GARLAND,
PRESIDENT OF THE WORKERS’ PARTY OF IRELAND
On October 7th, the President of The Workers’ Party of Ireland, Sean Garland, was arrested while attending
the Party annual delegate conference in Belfast. Comrade Garland has worked for peace and democracy in Ireland for many decades.
He has been a consistent and vocal critic of the United States’ quest for global hegemony. The attack on Sean Garland
is politically motivated, based on anti-communist propaganda. The Workers’ Party of Ireland will not be intimidated,
and calls for the support of other communist and workers’ parties from throughout the world in the struggle to prevent
the extradition of Sean Garland to the United States
We express solidarity with The Workers’ Party of Ireland on the arrest of their President, and oppose
the attempt by the Bush regime to extradite Comrade Garland to the United States of America where it is impossible for a socialist
to get a fair trial.
The Appeal has been signed by almost 60 parties including:
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1. |
Communist Party of Albania |
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2. |
Algerian Party for Democracy & Socialism, PADS |
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3. |
Communist Party of Australia |
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4. |
Workers Party of Belgium |
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5. |
WCP of Bosnia & Herzegonvia |
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6. |
Communist Party of Brazil |
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7. |
New Communist Party of Britain |
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8. |
Bulgarian Communist Party “Georgi Dimitrov” |
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9. |
Communist Party of Bulgaria |
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10. |
Communist Party of Canada |
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11. |
Communist Party of Cuba |
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12. |
Communist Party of Bohemia & Moravia |
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13. |
Communist Party of Denmark |
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14. |
Communist Party of Egypt |
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15. |
Communist Party of Estonia |
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16. |
Communist Party of Finland |
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17. |
Communist Party of Macedonia |
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18. |
Unified Communist Party of Georgia |
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19. |
German Communist Party (DKP) |
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20. |
Communist Party of Greece |
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21. |
Hungarian Worker' Party |
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22. |
Communist Party of India (Marxist) |
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23. |
Iraqi Communist Party |
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24. |
The Worker's Party of Ireland |
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25. |
Communist Party of Israel |
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26. |
Party of the Italian Communists |
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27. |
Socialist Party of Latvia |
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28. |
Lebanese Communist Party |
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29. |
Socialist Party of Lithuania |
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30. |
Communist Party of Luxembourg |
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31. |
Party of the Congress for the Independence of Madagascar (AKFM) |
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32. |
Communist Party of Malta |
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33. |
Party of the Communists of Mexico |
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34. |
New Communist Party of Netherlands |
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35. |
Communist Party of Norway |
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36. |
Palestinian Communist Party |
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37. |
Philippine Communist Party-1930 |
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38. |
Communist Party of Poland |
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39. |
Portuguese Communist Party |
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40. |
Romanian Communist Party |
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41. |
Socialist Alliance Party, Romania |
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42. |
Communist Party of Russian Federation |
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43. |
Communist Party of Soviet Union |
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44. |
Communist Workers Party of Russia - Party of the Communists of Russia |
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45. |
New Communist Party of Yugoslavia |
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46. |
Communist Party of Slovakia |
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47. |
Communist Party of Spain |
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48. |
Communist Party of Peoples of Spain |
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49. |
Sudanese Communist Party |
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50. |
Communist Party of Sweden |
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51. |
Syrian Communist Party |
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52. |
Syrian Communist Party |
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53. |
Communist Party of Tadjikistan |
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54. |
Communist Party of Turkey |
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55. |
Communist Party of Ukraine |
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56. |
Communist Party, USA |
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57. |
Communist Party of Venezuela |
Letter to The Irish Times; 17 November 2005
Dear Editor
Once again I am compelled to write to
you in an attempt to put some balance into your reports concerning the US demand for my extradition to the US through
a British court.
The continued liberal use of press releases
and statements by the US, SS and Justice Department by your reporter, Sean O'Driscoll, is obviously part of your
Agenda, edited by a Peter Murtagh, which was
displayed back in your issue of The Irish Times on 17th October.
I issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday 15th
November setting out my reasons for not answering bail. In your report on Wednesday 16th, you devoted
six and a half lines not to my statement
but to the use of pejorative words as "Garland announced that he has fled to the Republic", then of course you
introduce North Korea, the eternal bogeyman
of the US, and so-called "supernotes". The rest of the report is given over mainly to a rehash of the US,
SS and Justice Department assertions of some
months ago. Hardly objective reporting!
Let me put it plain and simple for you and hopefully
for your readers if your deign to print this letter. I have no associate named Corcoran nor have I any
associates in jail in Britain. Your reporter
and you treat the words of the US officials as gospel truth. Given the recent and indeed long history of US
administrations it would be a very foolish person
to accept anything they say at face value. The US, SS and Justice Department have made numerous
assertions concerning myself some of which I
dealt with in my letter to you of 17th October.
I would point out, again, that I am quite prepared
to face any allegations in an open and fair court. Under the UK -US Extradition Treaty Act of
2003 there is no possibility of this.
Again I would be obliged if you would print
my statement of Tuesday 15th November, copy attached, along with this letter and so redeem your paper
from becoming a total tool of the US, SS and
Justice Department.
Yours, etc
Sean Garland
Press Statement
For Immediate Use
Tuesday 15th November 2005
Personal Statement by Sean Garland Relating to the US Demand for His Extradition
from the UK to the US
My first point is to repeat, in the strongest possible terms, my denial of any
involvement in any criminal activity.
Since my stay in hospital from 31st October last I have given much thought
to my present situation. After much examination and discussion of the UK-US Extradition Treaty Act of 2003 it is clear to
any independent observer that this Act does not allow for any person to be given a fair hearing.
It is a foregone conclusion under this Act that any person brought before a court on
a warrant from the US will be extradited from the UK to the US.
This Extradition Treaty Act was fast-tracked into UK legislation by an Order in Council
which did not allow for any consultation or debate in Parliament. It was two months later before Parliament had any opportunity
to examine this legislation which already had become law.
The most important aspect of the Treaty allows the UK to extradite an individual to the
US without the US having the need to provide prima facie evidence to support its demand for extradition.
The Treaty does not allow a judge any discretion.
This is clearly demonstrated in the case of Mr Babar Ahmad. On 17th May 2005
a judge at Bow Street Magistrates Court in London sent Babar Ahmad’s case to the Home Secretary for his final decision
as to whether Babar should be extradited to the US. In his ruling the judge refers to the “many complex issues that
have arisen in this case” and he concluded “This is a difficult and troubling case. The
defendant is a British subject who is alleged to have committed offences which, if the evidence were
available, could have been prosecuted in this country”. **
The ultimate decision, as we can see from the above, as to any person’s extradition
is made by the British Home Secretary.
Up to now I have voluntarily carried out all the wishes of the court. I do not question
the integrity of the court and I have the utmost respect for the judge and his office.
Despite some misgivings about my health I am ready to face any fair proceedings but I
am not willing to face what is in effect a court which has its hands tied by an act which is primarily dictated by the political
agenda of the US.
Up to today, 15th November 2005, the US has presented no evidence to justify
its charges. This is in keeping with the fact, as stated earlier, that the US decides under this Act that they have no need
to produce evidence. Under the terms of the Extradition Treaty between the US and the US the US alone does not need to offer
proof. It only has to provide “information” that a crime has been committed. From the very beginning of this travesty
it has been clear that there is no prospect of any fair trial.
Certain facts in my arrest need to be restated. Why was a warrant issued on 19th
May in the District of Columbia acted upon on the 7th October 2005 in Belfast in a British jurisdiction on an Irish
citizen. This was 141 days after the warrant was issued. Why?
The US has not yet ratified this Extradition Treaty so in effect is it a one-way street
with the US in the driving seat.
In view of the above and indeed much more as to the grossly unjust nature of this Extradition
Treaty I have decided therefore not to return to British jurisdiction. I will place myself under the protection of
my own government and my country’s constitution which guarantee me basic human rights and freedoms.
I thank all those people in The Dail and Seanad, The House of Commons, the many hundreds
of international supporters, parties and individuals, and the many thousands in Ireland who have played a part in this fight.
We shall continue to fight this extradition demand of the US and we look forward to the continued support of all our friends
and supporters.
In conclusion I wish to thank my legal representatives and apologise to them for any
inconvenience or difficulty my decision, of what they had no knowledge, may cause them.
**Further information on the case of Mr Babar Ahmad is at freebabarahmad@yahoo.co.uk or 0044-7963-537 779.
Letter to An Taoiseach dated 11th November 2005
Dear Taoiseach
The following motion was passed at the monthly meeting of The Derry Trades Council held on 10th November 2005.
"The Derry Trades Council view with concern the fact that the Northern Ireland Court is considering an application for
the extradition of Sean Garland, President of The Workers' Party, to the U.S. We believe that no evidence, other than
media investigation has been established to justify these proceedings. Sean Garland is the President of a political
party and is an Irish citizen who is entitled to the same tenant in law, held by most civilized countries, which is that a
person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If we allow trial by media to influence our legal systems, then justice
will not be done. We would ask that your good office be used to oppose any move to extradite Sean Garland from Ireland.
- Liam Gallager, Secretary Derry Trades Council
Parliamentarians Against Extradition of Garland
The campaign to Stop the Extradition of Sean Garland to the US has received widespread, and cross-party support in both
the Dáil (Lower House) and Seanad (Upper House) of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament).
In the Dail the matter was jointly raised on Thursday 20th October as an 'Adjournment Debate'
by Ruairí Quinn TD (Labour Party), John Gormley TD (Green Party) and Pat Carey
TD (Fianna Fail). This was a very important initiative, and in replying to the debate the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD (Fianna Fail) stated that he would raise the matter with the American authorities.
Other members of the Dáil who expressed support for Sean Garland included: Michael D Higgins TD, Joe
Costello,TD Jan O'Sullivan TD (Labour Party), Donie Cassiddy TD (Fianna Fail),
Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD and Martin Ferris TD (Sinn Féin), Joe Higgins TD
(Socialist Party), and Finian McGrath TD (Non Party).
Joe Higgins TD, also raised the matter publicly at a meeting of the Forum on Europe
in Dublin Castle on October 20th. This is a body set up by the irishgovernment in the wake of the defeat of the first Nice
Treaty referendum, with the objective of bringing the debate on the future of Europe closer to the people. Sean Garland
is the Workers' party delegate to this body.
The question of the proposed extradition of Sean Garland from the UK to the US was also raised in the Seanad
by Senator Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael). Other Senators who have expressed support for the campaign are
Senator Brian Hayes (Fine Gael), Senators Eddie Bohan, Pascal Mooney, Labhrás Ó Murchú, Camillus
Glynn and Francis O'Brien (Fianna Fail), Senator Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party), and Senator
David Norris (Non Party).
Stop Garland Extradition Campaign Gains Momentum
Up to 200 people attended a public meeting in the {Waterford} city last week
to protest against the attempted extradition of Sean Garland, President of The Workers' Party.
The meeting was arranged by city councillors John Halligan and Davy Walsh, and
was chaired by John McGrath, of the Cuban Solidarity Movement.
An impressive panel of speakers held the attention of the audience, which also
included councillors Cha O'Neill and Joe Kelly.
Speakers included Jimmy Kelly A.T.G.W.U., Gerry Lynch, SIPTU (NET), John Lowry,
Gen Secretary of The Workers' Party, John Bowen, Cork Trades Council, Tom Creedon, President of Waterford Trades Council.
Among the attendance at the meeting were Cllr. Cha O'Neill and Joe Kelly while
messages of support were read out from Senator Maurice Cummins F.G., who raised the issue at the Oireachtas, Cllr. Seamus
Ryan, whose former party Leader Ruairi Quinn, spoke out against the extradition in the Dail supported by The Green Party and
Sinn Fein deputies.
During the course of the meeting the circumstances of the arrest of Sean Garland
while attending his party's Ard Fheis in Belfast was relayed. Sean Garland was not presented with any charges other
than an application for his extradition. Sean Garland denies all the allegations against him that were contained in
two television programmes and some press stories. He calls on the Bush regime to present any evidence to the Irish Courts
where he can vigorously defend himself.
Sean Garland was granted bail on three sureties of £10,000 and requested to remain
in Northern Ireland. Last Friday, 72 years of age and a chronic diabetic, he was granted permission to go to the Bon
Secours Hospital in Dublin to receive treatment.
He was one of the principal motivators in persuading the official Republican movement
away from the armed struggle, to pursue their objectives through political means in 1974.
He survived a murderous attempt on his life by the I.N.L.A. and on recover, he
immediately took on the task of organising The Workers' Party into a potent machine to reflect the needs of the working class
people of this island.
- Waterford News & Star, 11th November 2005.
October Seventh Socialist Movement supports Garland
8th November 2005
To John Lowry, General Secretary,
The October Seventh Socialist Movement of Australia expresses its support for and
solidarity with comrade Sean Garland and the Workers Party of Ireland. We join with many others in demanding that the
attempt to extradite him to face false charges in the US be stopped immediately.
with comradely greetings
John Bennett (National Secretary)
October Seventh Socialist Movement
P. O. Box 607
Carlton
South
Victoria
Australia
3053
British Members of Parliament call for No Extraditions between the United Kingdom and the United
States
In March 2005, 124 members of the British House of Commons signed an Early Day Motion calling for an end
to extraditions between the United Kingdom and the United States until such times as the 2003 Extradition Act was replaced
with a new order requiring the United States to supply prima facie evidence to accompany its extradition requests to the United
Kingdom.
A more detailed statement, plus references, is to be found as Briefing Note 4, in the "Latest Briefing"
page of this website.
People's Weekly World Newspaper highlights Garland case
In an article titled "Irish leader's arrest provokes outcry" authored by Don Margolis the People's Weekly World
newspaper (11/03/05) has highlighted the Sean Garland case.
The article highlights the point made by by Cuba abd Venezuela activists that "it is hypocritical that
the U.S. would "kidnap" an Irish citizen for a no-violent crime, while knowingly harbouring Luis Posada Carriles, an admitted
right-wing terrorist".
Garland a Target since 1972
In a wide-ranging address to a Workers' Party gathering to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Pogrom of 29 October
1975 against the party, Des O'Hagan (member of the party's CEC) has pointed out that Sean Garland has been a target of assassination
since 1972.
Des O'Hagan highlighted the folowing events:
1972 - Recent revelations show that senior members of the Irish government proposed to some members within
the Provisional IRA that they assassinate senior members of the official republican movement - including Sean Garland.
1975 - Attempted assassination of Sean Garland by the IRSP / INLA - an ultra-leftist nationalist criminal gang.
Sean was severely injured and took many months to recover in hospital.
1991/2 - A vicious and personalised campaign of political character asassination against Sean Garland by an opportunistic
social-democratic faction withinn the party, aided and abetted by many elements in the media.
2003 -2005. Concerted media attempts by certain political and media elements to link Sean Garland to international
crime. This has culminated in the present attempt by the internationally discredited Bush administration to extradite Sean
to the USA.
WFTU Demands Immediate Release of Sean Garland, President of The
Workers’ Party of Ireland And Asks Irish
Government Not To Extradite Him To The United States
No.36 - 3
November 2005
The
World Federation of Trade Unions strongly protests against the politically-motivated arrest of Sean Garland, President of
the Workers Party of Ireland, while participating in the Party Congress in Belfast, on the basis of a demand by the US Government for his extradition to the United States.
The
WFTU condemns the fact that President Sean Garland has not been charged with any criminal offence
while the US
authorities are seeking his extradition and hence the WFTU considers that this is a clear violation
of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and international law.
The
WFTU appeals to all affiliates and friends to protest against this violation of human rights and
demand that President Sean Garland be released immediately.
Communist Party of Britain Condemns Arrest of Sean Garland
1 November 2005
Statement Condeming the Arrest of Sean Garland
The Communist Party of Britain condemns the arrest of Sean Garland, President of the Workers Party of Ireland,
on 7 October while attending the Ard Fheis of the Workers Party in Belfast.
The Communist Party of Britain supports the position taken by the Communist Party of Ireland that no Irish citizen should
be extradited to the United States. In Mr Garland's case, media coverage while Mr Garland is on bail has already prejudiced
legal proceedings. This coverage, in Britain and the United States, has a clear political content. The Communist Party of
Britain does not believe that a fair trial is possible in the United States in any foreseeable circumstances.
Robert Griffiths
General Secretary
Very Successful Public Meeting in Waterford
The ballroom of the Tower Hotel, Waterford, was packed for a very successful public meeting on Tuesday
1st November @ 8.00pm.
Meeting Details:
Chair: John McGrath, South East Branch, Cuba Support Group
Speakers:
John Lowry, General Secretary, The Workers' Party
Jimmy Kelly, Nat. Executive, ATGWU (personal capacity) and well known representative of the world
famous Waterford Glass Workers.
Tom Creedon, President, Waterford Trades Council
Gerry Lynch, SIPTU Official, Dublin (Personal capacity)
John Bowen, ex-President, Cork Council of Trade Unions
A very lively and informative question and answer session followed the main speeches.
Fermanagh Trades Council Adopts Motion of Support
The Fermanagh Trades Council at its monthly meeting on Tuesday 1st November unanimously adopted a motion opposing the
extradition of Sean Garland to the United States. The motion highlighted the dangers to Sean's Legal and Human Rights
by the threat of extraditioin.
Communist Party of Ireland Opposes Extradition of Sean
Garland
In its statement, issued nationally and internationally, the Communist Party of Ireland has stated "The Communist
Party of Ireland is opposed to the extradition opf Mr Sean Garland to the United States of America. It is clear theat the
action to extradite him intends to remove the protection of the Irish Constitution and Irish law to which he is entitled as
a citizen of the Republic of Ireland."
Secret CIA Prisons Revealed
In a most disturbing development for all those worried about the Human Rights of Sean Garland if he was to be extradited
to the USA the Irish Times (3rd Nov 2005) quoting the Washington Post reveals an international network of
secret CIA prisons, and "interrogation centres".
These prisons, it is revealed, are part of a CIA network of "Black Sites". This means that in these sites, away from
international or even US judicial scrutiny, the CIA can use torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to
the UN Convention against Torture.
Sean Garland allowed travel for medical treatment
Following an application to Belfast County Court last Friday (28th October) Sean Garland has been allowed to travel to
a Dublin hospital for medical treatment. As part of the variation of his bail conditions he must return to Northern Ireland
on his discharge from hospital.
Justice / Human Rights Groups Monitoring Sean Garland case
The Stop the Extradition of Sean Garland campaign has contacted a number of justice, civil liberties and human rights
groups in relation to the US demand for the extradition of Workers' Party President Sean Garland. Among the groups which
have been contacted and which are now monitoring Sean's case are the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ), Amnesty
International, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Irish Human Rights Commision, the Northern Ireland Human Rights
Commision, Justice and Liberty.
As an extension of the Campaign, the Workers' Party has contacted all MPs in Westminster and the party plans to send
a delegation to lobby MPs individually in relation to Sean Garland's case.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny expresses interest
The leader of Ireland's largest opposition party (Fine Gael) Mr. Enda Kenny has said he will continue to monitor the
situation.
Establishment of local / national committees of the Stop the Extraditon of Sean Garland Campaign.
A major meeting was held in Dublin on October 27th to build the growing level of opposition against the US Extradition
demand for Sean Garland into an active / strong campaign around the country and internationally. The Workers' Party Central
Executive Committee / Ard Chomhairle is travelling around Ireland meeting individuals from inside and outside the party with
a view to establishing local campaign groups. A list of contacts for these groups is available on the Contacts page
of this website.
In addition to this initiative the campaign is continuing to leaflet town and city centres and a National Petition is
now being taken up to give the public an opportunity to express their opposition to any attempt to extradite Sean Garland
to the United States.
The campaign has printed a large number of posters which will be placed in major centres. In addition it has contacted
all members of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) along with all British Labour Party MPs and a number of Liberal Democrat
MPs who have expressed interest. We have also circulated information on the case of Sean Garland to the Irish Council
of Civil Liberties, Amnest International, Liberty, the Irish Human Rights Commission and its counterpart in Northern Ireland,
and numerous other organisations concerned with human rights along with groups and individuals involved in the arts, media,
culture and a broad section of public life in Ireland, north and south.
Campaign to Stop the Extradition of Sean Garland receives major boost with ministerial meetings,
Dail debate and comment at Forum on Europe.
The arrest and attempt to extradite Workers' Party President Sean Garland was debated in Dail Eireann this afternoon
(Thurs, 20th October) having being raised by deputies from several parties including Pat Carey (Fianna Fail), Ruairi Quinn
(Labour) and John Gormley (Green Party) who expressed concern at the development and asked the Irish government to raise it
with the US administration.
Earlier the issue was raised at the Forum on Europe, where Sean Garland is the Workers' Party representative. Socialist
Party TD Joe Higgins called on the Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern to pursue the matter and expressed serious concerns
that Sean Garland would not get justice in the US in the event that he was extradited there.
Later a delegation from the Workers' Party, led by Party General Secretary John Lowry, met with the Irish Minister for
Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and Minister of State Noel Treacy who pledged to raise the issue with the United States Ambassador
to Ireland Mr. James Kenny.
The full debate in Dail Eireann on the extradition of Sean Garland at the Adjournment Debate of 20th October is as follows:-
 Adjournment Debate.
Extradition Application.
Mr. Quinn:   I wish to share time with Deputies Carey and Gormley. The fact that they are from different parties is an indication of
the cross-party concern at what amounts to the snatching of an Irish citizen outside this jurisdiction by the United States.
I refer to the arrest on 7 October of Seán Garland on a visit to Belfast, his remand under trial the following morning on
foot of a warrant executed to the US Embassy in London, where the authorities purport to extradite him back to the US to face
charges which have not been presented directly to him.
I do not dispute the legality of the charges or the right of any federal administration in any part of the world to
pursue charges if they so choose. My concern is that - I am delighted that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
is here - if the US Government wanted to serve a notice of extradition and charges to Seán Garland, it could have just as
easily done so through Irish courts in this jurisdiction. The fact that there is distorted legislation which gives unfair
advantage to the US over citizens’ rights in the UK, in my view and in the view of many people, including a list of
trade unionists who wrote to The Irish Times two days ago, puts a very different interpretation on all of this.
Mr. McDowell: The trade unionists should take a look at the background facts.
Mr. Quinn: The presumption of innocence, as the Minister rushes out of the House, belies his partisanship in this matter. What is
at issue is the right of an Irish citizen to enjoy the protections of the Constitution of this State. It is my view and the
view of many others who have listened to the case that, irrespective of the merits of the case, the rights of the citizen
in question have been denied. I ask the Minister of State now present to convey the concern to the US ambassador and the US
authorities.
Mr. Carey: I join with Deputy Quinn and Deputy Gormley in supporting this motion. The facts, as they have been outlined, are clear.
The fact it has taken five months for this warrant to be enforced and, furthermore, that it was enforced in Belfast raises
important questions. The fact that a president of an Irish political party was arrested in this manner on the first night
of a party conference raises questions of human rights. Human rights, such as the protection of freedom of debate, freedom
of movement, etc. are enshrined in our Constitution. I do not understand why this action was undertaken in this manner.
Deputy Quinn commented on the need to engage with the authorities in the United States. I have just come from a short
meeting with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and representatives of the Workers’ Party, where we impressed upon the
Minister the need to address these issues through appropriate avenues with the United States authorities. I do not wish to
speak further except to state that I strongly support the case which has been well articulated by Deputy Quinn.
Mr. Gormley: There has been much hype about this case. A “Panorama” television programme has been broadcast and I understand
that a “Spotlight” television programme has been shown five times. It features a figure looking remarkably like
Mr. Garland walking through the streets of Moscow, apparently up to no good. If we were to believe these reports and other
newspaper reports, Mr. Garland stands accused of attempting to undermine the currency of the United States.
I am disturbed by the comment murmured under his breath by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as he
departed the Chamber. We need more than that because if such a serious figure was involved in such high level criminality,
the Garda Síochána would know all about it, as would the Independent Monitoring Commission which published its report yesterday.
Despite this, as far as I understand it, the Workers’ Party has received a clean bill of health. I have not heard about
the Official IRA for many years and yet this man stands accused.
As Deputy Quinn noted, the reason he was arrested in Belfast is because the standard of proof required there for an
extradition is of a much lower order than in this jurisdiction. In the wake of the attacks of 11 September 2001, the United
States has little time for civil liberties unless it involves one of its own citizens. Presumably that explains why it has
not signed up to the International Criminal Court. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is the corner stone of
our legal system. While Mr. Garland may have political views of which the United States, Deputy Quinn, Deputy Carey and I
do not approve, that is not the issue. The issue is justice. As Irish parliamentarians and as Europeans we cannot afford to
abandon those hard-fought principles of justice for a legal system devised by George W. Bush.
Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. Treacy): I am pleased to respond to this motion from three respected Members of this House representing three different political
parties. Mr. Sean Garland was arrested by the PSNI in Belfast on 7 October 2005. At the time of his arrest, Irish officials
at the British-Irish intergovernmental secretariat in Belfast were immediately contacted and subsequently sought clarification
from the British authorities as to the basis for his arrest.
Mr. Garland was provisionally arrested on foot of a request from the United States Government for his extradition.
The request for extradition was made on the basis that Mr. Garland is the subject of an indictment filed on 19 May 2005 in
the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The United States authorities want Mr. Garland to stand trial
on counterfeiting charges.
As Members will be aware, Mr. Garland has been released on bail subject to the payment of surety and daily reporting
to a PSNI station.
Mr. Quinn: He must also stay within the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom.
Mr. Treacy: Yes. He must remain in Northern Ireland. Mr. Garland has been instructed to reside at an address in Northern Ireland pending
the receipt of appropriate documentation from the United States authorities to support the extradition request. I understand
that the said documentation must be forwarded to the authorities in the United Kingdom within 65 days of the date of the initial
request for extradition, that is within 65 days of 4 October 2005.
Mr Garland has since contacted Irish officials in the British-Irish intergovernmental secretariat in Belfast. Assurances
have been given to Mr. Garland that the case will continue to be monitored by the Government and that Mr. Garland had the
same rights as any other citizen in that respect. I acknowledge that he is a private citizen of this nation and that he is
the president of an Irish political party.
As Deputies are aware, the upholding of the rights of Irish citizens arrested outside this jurisdiction is an ongoing
part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Our officials work to ensure that Irish citizens are in no way treated
in a discriminatory manner and that they are provided with appropriate legal assistance at all times. Mr. Garland is fully
entitled to due process and to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty.
I can confirm Deputy Carey’s statement that within the last hour, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot
Ahern, immediately after a meeting of the National Forum on Europe, along with Deputy Carey and Deputy Joe Higgins, has met
representatives of the Workers’ Party and has discussed the situation. I can also confirm to the House that a request
was made to the Minister to raise this matter with the American authorities. Deputy Quinn has already raised that question
and I can confirm that the Minister has given a commitment that this matter will be raised with the American authorities immediately.
Deputies will also understand that the Irish Government does not have the power to interfere in legal proceedings that
take place in another jurisdiction. Such matters are for the courts alone to decide upon and, as such, it would be inappropriate
for me to comment further on the details of the case at present.
http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20051020.xml&Node=H12#H12
Message from the Communist Party of
the United States of AmericaTo Central Committee Workers Party of Ireland The Communist Party USA condemns the shameful tactics of the US government in the arrest on an extradition warrant of WPI President Sean Garland. The October 7 arrest, made in Northern Ireland with the collusion of the British government, is a violation not only of the civil rights of Comrade Garland as an Irish citizen, but of the sovereignty of the country of Ireland. Any action for extradition must be based on a body of factual evidence. We support the campaign to oppose his extradition to the United States. National Committee Communist Party
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