RNU BACKS BRADY FAMILY JUSTICE CALL

RNU BACKS BRADY FAMILY JUSTICE CALL

The Republican Network for Unity (RNU) wishes to publicly support calls by the Brady family for justice and truth about the circumstances of John Brady’s death. Commenting on behalf of RNU, Danny McBrearty noted:

“In the immediate aftermath of the tragic death of John Brady, the British constabulary with a monopoly on information callously presented its self-serving claim that this veteran Republican could not face a return to Maghaberry. A number of facts have subsequently emerged which raise serious questions about the constabulary version of how this man died whilst in their hands.

“First, those who knew him best, his family including family members who spoke with him shortly before his death are absolutely certain that John Brady was in good spirits totally opposite the mindset of someone depressed or contemplating ending his life.

“Second, John Brady was not a man facing the specter of a lengthy return to prison after a long respite, but a Republican prisoner who was on weekend parole. He had served 18 years as a Republican political prisoner and had merely 5 weeks to go before he would have completed his sentence. He looked forward to being returned to his family. He had already faced and won dismissal of far more serious charges. His solicitor had conferred with him and expected that John Brady would be released within the hour. A man of such resilience in such circumstances is hardly likely to become despondent about a possible charge in a domestic incident.

“Third, John Brady had been imprisoned because of his role as an IRA Volunteer in an attack on the RUC. He had been awarded early release under the Good Friday deal terms. He was outspoken in his views that only an end of British rule would bring justice and peace and that Stormont was not the way to a re-united Ireland .These facts made him a particular target of the British constabulary. Republicans at this juncture cannot categorically rule out any possibility that John Brady was a victim of brutality or driven by RUC-PSNI threats against himself or his family to force him to betray and inform on other Republicans.

“RNU expresses its deepest sympathies, and pledges its continuing support for the Brady family as it demands truth about the facts of John Brady’s death and cries for justice.”