Ciaran Ferry Hearing Thursday in Denver

For those who've been following Ciaran Ferry's illegal imprisonment (634 days now), please make plans to attend his hearing for a Petition of Habael Corpus. Below is the press release from Irish American Unity Conference:
***
HEARING SCHEDULED FOR CIARAN FERRY:

If you can make it to Ciaran's hearing in Denver, Thursday, Oct.
28th at 10 a.m. please let us know.

We need to fill the courtroom with supporters, media, etc.

This case is being compared to the Joe Doherty case of this decade!

We were notified that the hearing regarding Ciaran's Petition for
Habeas Corpus has been rescheduled. Originally set for 10/21, it
has now been re-scheduled for Thursday, October 28 at 10 AM.

Alfred A. Arraj Courthouse
901 19th Street
Denver, CO

Because this particular hearing bears the possibility of Ciaran's
release, it is very important for us to make a strong showing on
Ciaran's behalf. Please consider attending the hearing, and help us
show Judge Nottingham and the DHS attorneys that Ciaran has broad
support behind him.

There will be a press conference directly after the hearing.

For more information, directions, or other general information,
please contact: info@irishdeportees.com.

http://www.freeciaranferry.com

Deanna Turner
Irish Deportees of America Committee
#1-800-947-4282

happen......

...he was originally arrested by the British for riding as a passenger in a car where guns were found. The no-jury court charged him with "Conspiracy to Commit Murder of Persons Unknown."

He was released as part of the Good Friday Agreement, and moved to the U.S. to start his life over. Then along comes the Bush Administration and he's detained without charge again. I'm so embarrassed for our country. If Kerry doesn't win, I don't know what will become of us.

for a long time in this country because the Securocrats in Britain have great sway over our State Department. Do you know that Protestant paramilitaries have killed more people than the IRA in Northern Ireland. Most people don't know this because the media makes the IRA the bad guys. The British need to get out of Northern Ireland.

"Do you know that Protestant paramilitaries have killed more people than the IRA in Northern Ireland."

Yep. I've been working on getting the word out since 1998; I'm continually amazed at the effectiveness of the British spin machine and how it's infected our news coverage, too.

If the IRA is a "terrorist" group, then so was the Continental Army.

Ferry's case is near and dear to me (being 4th generation). But I'm a precinct captain. I'm supposed to be walking my precinct, so I'll be there if I can get down there.

Pcat

I can't think of a better way to help Ciaran Ferry than to get Bush out of office. The damage has already been done and Ciaran will never get back those 637 days he missed with Heaven and Fiona. The best we can do now is get rid of the Bush Administration.

If you can be there, great, but if you have to pick one thing to do, get out the vote!

I don't know that Kerry would change things too much in regards to the stupid extradition policy in regards to Northern Ireland. I hope so, but I'm not sure.

...and I think he would vote against the U.S./U.K. Extradition Treaty if he comes up for a vote.

He co-signed a letter to Donald Rumsfeld opposing the Aegis defense contract on the grounds that the company is headed by Tim Spicer (in command when the two soldiers killed Peter McBride).

In a teleconference with Kerry's staff, they also assured us that Kerry would make Northern Ireland a top priority, would choose a decent envoy, and would give the envoy White House access. I asked if Kerry would remember the envoy's name & the staffer laughed and assured us he would (following Bush's interview about Ireland when he couldn't come up with Mitchell Reiss' name!)

October 29, 2004

I. Ciaran Ferry's Habeas Corpus Hearing before Judge
Nottingham in Denver did not go well. One could
fairly say it was a waste of time.

. The hearing lasted a meager 10 minutes after a wait
of a year and a half for a decision on the case.

. The Judge allowed no evidence to be submitted by
Ciaran's lawyer, nor were witnesses allowed to testify
at the Hearing.

. Neither was Ciaran allowed to speak on his own
behalf.

. The Judge has apparently already made up his mind,
will not seek more evidence nor allow any witnesses,
and has already drafted an opinion based on the paper
work previously submitted.

. Judge Nottingham will announce his decision in a
week or so.

II. One sad positive: Federal marshals allowed
Ciaran to hold his 3 year old daughter, Fiona, and
embrace his wife, Heaven, for the first time in 2
years.

III. The following is a more detailed report from
Deanna Turner of the Irish Deportees of America
Committee.

Ciaran Ferry Update

"As supporters and media filled the courtroom
yesterday, eagerly awaiting a decision on Ciaran
Ferry's habeas corpus petition, Judge Nottingham
determined that he would not make a public ruling that
day. Instead, he stated that he now plans to rule in
a week or so.

"Judge Nottingham would not permit Ciaran's legal team
to present any evidence or witnesses, and Ciaran was
not able to speak on his behalf.

"Ciaran's legal team had requested that they be
permitted a full evidentiary hearing, arguing that
Ciaran's conviction in a juryless Diplock court in
Northern Ireland could not be recognized under U.S.
jurisprudence. Judge Nottingham indicated that he had
already drafted his opinion based on the written
submissions and had no need to hear witnesses or
accept any further evidence.

"Legal observers found this to be ominous and believe
that Judge Nottingham may rule that he has no
jurisdiction to question the Attorney General's
decision in this case.

"Ciaran's counsel wanted to know what was the
government's position on releasing Ciaran. The
government representatives replied: 'Mr. Ferry holds
the keys to his jail cell himself. If he wants to
return to the United Kingdom, he is free to do so
where he isn't under threat of bodily harm.'

"After the hearing, Ciaran's supporters stated that
they were confused and disappointed at the very brief
10 minute proceeding which the Judge allowed no oral
argument to discuss this case.

"Ciaran has been waiting for a decision for over a
year and a half since the preliminary hearing on this
matter.

"Ciaran Ferry stated that he is in good spirits and
wanted to extend his appreciation to all of the
supporters who sent letters of support to him and his
family and to those who attended the hearing.

"The courtroom was overcome with emotional when the
U.S. Marshall's permitted Ciaran to briefly hold his 3
year old daughter, Fiona for the first time in two
years and to embrace his wife, Heaven.

"Ciaran has been on no-contact restrictions since his
incarceration over two years ago.

"Heaven believes that her family's situation is now
very precarious, 'If Judge Nottingham does not
challenge the government's illegal actions in denying
my husband his due process rights he will force us to
return with our 3 year old daughter to Belfast where
my husband is on a loyalist hit list.'"

IV. Contact the Irish Deportees of America Committee
at <http://www.irishdeportees.com> for further
information on the cases of Ciaran Ferry, John
McNicholl and Malachy McAllister.

and incredibly sad. Meanwhile, Bush doesn't do anything to advance peace in Northern Ireland. And that's what it is. Northern IRELAND.

Bears his name well along with the Sheriff of Nottingham. A big fucking fat Repuke asshole.