Giuseppe Conlon back in custody

dublin | anti-war / imperialism | news report

Friday May 20, 2011 12:32

by Ciaron - Dublin Catholic Worker

Yesterday morning, I had the poster that appears in this clip of Giuseppe Conlon with the wording
"Remember Giuseppe Conlon and all Victims of Empire" confiscated by a Gardai inspector under some state security legislation.

I had been phoned by the Gardai about 11 pm the night before saying a friend of mine was in custody chargeed woth a pUblic Order offense and needed a lawyer and that he wouldbe appearing at the new court on Infimary Rd. I had been unable to get back to where I was staying as the city was closed down and had crashed on another friend's floor.

As I made my way to the court Thursday morning, a young Gard said she would not let me through her checkpoint with the sign. I asked if she could hang on to it and I would be back in 4o mins. She agreed.

After realsing I could not cross the road I returned to that checkpoint and the sign was gone. She pointed out the inspector that had seized the sign. I approached him and I said if

he would hand back the sign I would leave the area. He informed me that it had been confiscated under some weird security act. I explained who Giuseppe was and that I was from Giuseppe Conlon House and the sign had sentimental value. No luck, he did give me his landline number and I tried that twice last night...will have another go today.

i was then searched at the second checkpoint (on the right side of the road this time) ...and then stopped and searched a third time before I got to court and questioned by Special Branch. After looking at the cour tlists with no mention of my friend's name...a solicitor who recognised me from the Shannon case suggested he was probably at Cloverhill courts. The solicito made a phone call and got him representation...he's out now

As I walked back to town along the river I was stopped and earhed a fourth time and questioned by different Special Branch folks who pulled up in a vehicle. Kind of Kafkaesque. Another day in Dublin clampdown....

Free Giuseppe Conlon AGAIN!