Garland Extradition 'Death Sentence'

Three of the country's leading trade unionists have issued a statement opposing efforts by the United States to extradite veteran republican socialist Sean Garland.

The United States authorities allege that Mr Garland has been involved in the distribution and resale of counterfeited US dollars, so-called "superdollars", in 1998. They also allege that the source of the banknotes was the government of North Korea.

Eamon Devoy, General Secretary of the Technical Engineering and Electrical Union, Jimmy Kelly, Regional Secretary of Unite and Jack O'Connor, General President of SIPTU issued a statement which read: "We wish to make clear our commitment to the campaign to stop the extradition of Sean Garland. There are very clear humanitarian, legal and political reasons why the threat of his extradition to the US should be immediately lifted.”

Describing Mr Garland's health they said: "Sean is 77 years of age and in poor health. He suffers from angina and diabetes and has also been diagnosed with bowel and prostate cancer, conditions which require regular medical review. His medical condition is well documented.

"Over the last five years the strain which this extradition attempt has placed upon Sean has been immense and any attempt to transport him from Ireland to be incarcerated within the brutal US prison system would likely amount to a death sentence, whatever the outcome of the legal proceedings against him.”

They added that as an Irish citizen, Mr Garland is guaranteed certain rights under the Irish Constitution which he would be denied in the US. If extradited, the veteran republican socialist could be remanded in custody without the option of bail for a prolonged period and, due to the allegations made by US authorities, he may be denied proper access to legal representation and be subjected to inhumane treatment.

The statement continued: "We are also concerned about the impact that the US's Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) will have on any possibility of Sean receiving a fair trial in the US. The CIPA allows the US government to designate information as classified on the broad basis of "national security" and there is a real possibility that, if extradited, much material relevant to the case and vital to the defence would be withheld from Sean and his lawyers on these grounds.

"We further believe that the attempt to seek the extradition of a political activist who has for many years peacefully opposed the foreign policy of successive US governments, including the illegal invasion of Iraq, is politically motivated and this further rules out any possibility of a fair trial in that country."

Discussing Mr Garland's role in Irish politics, the trade unionists said: "Notwithstanding the differences many have with the political positions Sean has taken over the decades few doubt that he has been driven by a wish to assist in the creation a better, fairer and peaceful society in Ireland.

"The progressive role that Sean has played in Irish political life has resulted in the campaign to stop his extradition receiving support from over 50 TDs, including members of all the Dáil parties, Irish and international trade unions as well as numerous civil society organisations."

(BMcN/BMcC)