November 3, 2002 Harassment and Prison Brutality Against Irish POW in Belmarsh
Press release from 32 County Sovereignty Movement (London)

A young Irish citizen presently incarcerated in an English prison is being kept from contact not only with his family but also with other prisoners. John Paul Gerard Hannan, 19, expected a visit from his mother two weeks ago. John's family did indeed travel from Ireland to visit him in Belmarsh, but when they turned up at Belmarsh they were told their paperwork 'wasn't complete' and that the photographs on their Visiting Order passes were not of 'good quality', and the visit was disallowed! In fact, all subsequent attempts by his family to visit the young man were also prevented by prison authorities. When John expressed anger and dismay over the treatment of his family, he was sent to isolation. Irish POW John Hannan is presently in an isolation cell and on lock-up for 23 hours a day. Moreover, he has been brutally assaulted by prison authorities in the process.

We have contacted the IBRG, the ICPO and others; and we ask that anyone concerned with the continued blatant mistreatment of Irish prisoners and their families, at the hands of the British oppressor, please make your voice heard. You may help by writing, phoning or faxing any or all of the following:

Home Secretary David Blunkett MP
Home Office 50
Queen Annes Gate
London SW1H 9AT
Phone: (011 44) 020 7273 4000
Fax: (011 44) 020 7273-2190
Email: gen.ho@gtnet.gov.uk

Ambassador D. O'Ceallaigh
Embassy of Ireland
17 Grosvenor Place
London SWIX 7HR
Phone: (011 44) 0871 717 8041
Fax: (011 44) 020 7245 6961

Hazel Banks
Governor of Belmarsh Prison
Western Way, Thamesmead
London. SE28 OEB
Phone: (011 44) 020 8317 2436
Fax: (011 44) 020 8317 2421

Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO)
50-52 Camden Square
London NW1 9XB 3AG
Phone: (011 44) 020 7482 4148
Fax: (011 44) 020 7482 4815
Email: icpouk@ireland.com

Criminal Cases Review Commission
Alpha Tower, Suffolk Street, Queensway
Birmingham, B1 1TT
Phone: (011 44) 0121 633 1800
Fax: (011 44) 0121 633 1804
Email: info@ccrc.gov.uk
Web: http://www.ccrc.gov.uk

HM Prison Service Headquarters
Cleland House
Page Street
London, SW1P 4LN
Email: prisons.dg@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk