The decision by Galway County Council (Monday, February 22^nd) to call on the US authorities to drop the attempt to extradite former Workers Party President, Sean Garland, has been warmly welcomed by the Galway support committee opposed to his extradition.

The secretary of the ‘Galway Stop The Extradition of Sean Garland' committee Michael Donnelly said that it owed “a deep debt of gratitude to Independent Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig and Councillor Seán O Tuairisg of Fianna Fáil, for respectively proposing and seconding the motion”. He also thanked the other Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Labour, Sinn Féin, Republican Sinn Féin and Independent councillors who supported the motion and ensured it was adopted unanimously.

“The mood of the meeting was captured by Councillor Jimmy Mc Clearn of Fine Gael, who said that while he did not agree with Sean Garland's politics he admired him for the way that he had stood for democracy in difficult times.

“Sean Garland is an ill and elderly man. The facts are that this long drawn out extradition attempt has its origins in allegations made against him by a now thoroughly discredited and morally dubious  Bush regime”, Mr Donnelly said. “It is fervently hoped that this plea by Galway County Council, allied to similar resolutions carried by other county councils and trades councils throughout Ireland, will cause the current Obama administration to do the decent thing and drop the proceedings as soon as possible.

Issued by Galway 'STOP THE EXTRADITION OF SEAN GARLAND' Committee

Contact: Michael Donnelly, 087 620 3972

Copy of Motion:  ‘Galway County Council calls on President Barack Obama's
Administration to withdraw its request for the Extradition of Sean Garland’.

Note: Other local authorities which have passed motions opposing Sean Garland’s extradition include, Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council, Cork City Council,  Kerry County Council, Waterford City Council, Monaghan County Council, Tralee Town Council, Cobh Town Council and Kells Town Council.