Kelly!
Socialist Republic1983Trade unions and workers' strugglesTrade unions and workers' struggles
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PD is calling on its supporters POLITICAL HOSTAGE and readers of Socialist Republic to support the campaign for the release of Nicky Keilly presently serving |2 years for his alleged part in Sallins train robbery 1976.
Nicky Kelly has always protested his innocence. His treatment at the hands of the police - an elite squad known as the ‘heavy gang’ - and the conduct of his trial in the Special Criminal Court, and the rejection of Nicky’s final appeal to the Supreme Court, ranks as one of the most scandalous episodes in the history of the ‘Free State’.
NICKY KELLY IS INNOCENT General Secretary of the At Nicky’s trial, there was no evidence , no witnesses and no jury, only a concocted statement which he signed after prolonged ‘in-depth’ interrogation by members of the ‘heavy gang’. Despite medical evidence of two doctors, (one of them a prison doctor), of extensive bruising found on Nicky’s body, the court ruled his confession was voluntary. in the closing stages of his trial when it became clear to all that he and his two coaccused Osgar Breatnach and Brian McNally could expect no justice, Nicky Kelly skipped bail and went to the USA. He was later admitted to the New York Belle Vue Mental Hospital suffering from severe anxiety neurosis - a result of his ill treatment in Ireland.
In 1980 on hearing the news that his co-accused had won their appeals when their Statements were thrown out of court, he immediately retumed to Ireland to assert his innocence.
Despite general belief both among ordinary members of the public, and the authorities in the 26 counties of his innocence, he wasn’t released. This can only be seen as a face saving exercise by the state to avoid further public embarrassment such as the release of his two co-accused caused, It is also an attempt to prevent public scrutiny of he methods used to secure his conviction.
GROWING SUPPORT A growing number of trades unionists have come out in his support including the ICTU, Donal Nevin. The AGM of the EEPTU has called for his release and the IPOEU is discussing his case at their AGM.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
|. Write to the Minister for Justice calling for Nicky Kelly’s immediate release. 2. Write to the local and national newspapers. 3.Raise the issue at your trades union and tenants assOciation meetings and urge public support for Nicky Kelly’s release. 4. Lobby your local TD’s and councillors 5. Write to Nicky Kelly c/o Portlaoise Prison, Portlaoise, Co. Laois 6. Support any activities of the Release Nicky Kelly Ctte.
Nicky Kelly Release Ctte c/o ll Grange Terrace, Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
TEL 801438/331463 Support leafletting/picket GPO every Saturday 3 pm - 6 pm.