Reprisals follow H-block escapes

Scan page 6

From the Republical paper An Phoblacht, September 29.

Following the mass break-out from H7-Block, RUC men and warders came into the block at around 6.30pm. The remaining POWs, about 89 in number, were forced to spread eagle against walls at gunpoint and were then searched. About two hours later, the RUC and screws returned and started to move the men to the adjacent H8-Block in a violent manner, characteristic of wing shifts during the period of the 'no-wash' protest.

The prisoners were told to take off their shoes and socks and were then forced to run a gauntlet of warders the full length of the wing, being badly beaten as they ran. At the top of the wing they were stripped naked, some having their clothes torn from them, and were beaten again. After some of their clothes were returned, the men were then made to run under a hail of blows to the administrative area of the block.

Throughout this time an assistant governor was present and was aware of what was happening.

The barefoot POWs were then handcuffed and made to run a gauntlet of both warders and dogs in H8.

17 men suffered dog bites and 40 were badly beaten, but all were denied medical attention. Days later, Gary Roberts, from West Belfast's Andersonstown, required four stitches to his eye as a result of the beating he received.

In a destructive follow-up operation, prisoners' clothes and other personal possessions were strewn over the yard outside H7.

Eyewitness accounts of the visible resuits of these beatings are emerging slowly from relatives and priests, despite the vain attempts of the Northern Ireland Office and prison authorities to prevent details of the escape and the subsequent brutality of warders from becoming public.

Since visits to Long Kesh were resumed last Friday, all those now held in H8. as well as the captured escapees now held in solitary confinement in punishment blocks. have been allowed only closed visits, separated from their relatives by a glass screen, and within the hearing of up to ten warders who terminate visits when the escape is discussed. Although few details have so far emerged, it appears that all but one of the captured escapees were severely beaten on their return to Long Kesh.

Bobby Storey, also from Andersonstown, was among the 15 POWs captured shortly after the break-out who, on being brought back to the prison, were systematically beaten by enraged warders.

Bobby Storey suffered bruises to his body and numerous graze 'burns', having apparently been trailed across gravel by his captors. His parents saw one bruise on his face, still visible after over a week.

His father, Robert, describes their two minutes together:

•There were six warders behind him and four warders behind us, even though we're both 54 years of age."

After exchanging greetings, Bobby had time only to tell his parents that about 60 warders had jumped on him. His horrified parents then watched as the visit abruptly ended and Storey was forcibly flung against the wall by warders while they were made to leave.

Harry Murray, from Lenadoon, West Belfast, and who was shot as he ran from Long Kesh suffered a triple fracture to his taken Mushrave Park Hospital were re was I CO having undergone several operations, he is expected to remain for at least three months.

The four prisoners who managed to reach the Castlewellan area before capture were taken to the Castlereagh Interrogation Centre following their re-arrest. On their return to Long Kesh, several days later, all were apparently badly beaten by warders.

After the beatings, the escapees 'on the boards' had their clothes removed and they were forced to go 'on the blanket' , some of them for a week, rather than wear prisonissue clothing.

The warders' vindictiveness has been exercised against all republican prisoners in the Hblocks.

Last Monday week, the day after the escape, the POWs moved to H8 were not allowed to wash, cells were again searched and their clothes were not returned to them for several days. Despite their injuries, throughout the week the men were refused access to the prison doctor and the governor.

Last Thursday, September 29, after warders had put wire wool and powder into the prisoners' food, the men refused meals for 24 hours. Reports have emerged, from several blocks, of prisoners being injured as a result of provocation by warders. Several have been put on the boards as a result. Handicrafts and other personal possessions have been deliberately smashed during perfunctory cell 'searches' Although prisoners are now being allowed evening association, it appears that the POA which on Tuesday October 4 began 23 hour lock-ups in Magilligan Jail, is intent on forcing the introduction of a harsher regime in the North's prisons.

In a statement this week, Gerry Adams, MP for West Belfast, dismissed the Northern Ireland Office's claims that no beatings had occurred in Long Kesh as a "deliberate lie" • As Adams pointed out:

"Everyone knows that following any incident in any of the British prisons, POWs are illtreated and harassed. Any exinternee or former political prisoner will confirm this fact. The NIO's attempt to deny such beatings. occurred after last Sunday's great escape is a patent falsehood and a deliberate lie."