The Blanket

The Blanket - A Journal of Protest & Dissent

The Framing of Michael McKevitt: Letter of Thanks

Excerpt from the booklet, The Framing of Michael McKevitt

The Blanket is serialising the booklet.

Michael McKevitt • 22 June 2006

Michael McKevitt
Political Hostage
Portlaoise Prison
Portlaoise
Co Laois

21st June 2006

It is an impossible task to name everyone who has helped in some way, let it be big or small with this endeavour to highlight the human rights breaches against my family and myself. So to all who have helped in any way I say thank you most sincerely.

However, acknowledgements should be singled out to those at the helm of this embryonic campaign and to those dearest to me who have always helped in every way possible.

I would like to thank Monsignor Raymond Murray, Fr Des Wilson, Fr. Joe McVeigh and Noelle Ryan all of whom are veteran human rights activists, who when approached had no hesitation in lending their support to this campaign. In particular I wish to acknowledge Fr. Des who before this campaign was ever mentioned had identified the human rights breaches while attending my trial as an observer in Dublin’s Special Criminal Court. He made no secret of his disgust during the super-grass trial in the non-jury court. I will always be grateful for his honesty, sincerity and his comforting support to my family at that time and since.

My thanks must go to all the members of the McKevitt and Sands families and also the extended families who encouraged me to proceed with this campaign when initially I was reluctant to allow it to advance. When this idea was first put to me I wasn’t overly keen on it as I felt those involved may be targeted unfairly by the tabloid press and their associates. However after long and careful consideration I was persuaded by those dear to me to give this campaign my full endorsement, which I have done.

I must thank especially Marcella, my sister-in law, for all her unwavering help. She penned the book with superhuman patience in a most resolute way, highlighting aspects of a vicious campaign waged against our family over the past number of years.

To each of my children who despite the vicious tabloid led campaign of vilification and the overt Garda harassment, came through it all with great strength and resilience. It is with pride that I acknowledge their individual help with this project.

To my devoted wife Bernadette, who has always stood shoulder to shoulder with me through these difficulties. She has been a tower of strength and I could never find the words to express my gratitude to her.

Finally, a special mention to two amazing people - my father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Rosaleen Sands whom I have the utmost respect and admiration for. Their endorsement and support of this campaign has meant a lot to me. I will always cherish the solidarity and warmth, which they have shown to me during my incarceration.


Yours sincerely
Michael McKevitt.



 

 

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The Blanket - A Journal of Protest & Dissent

 

 

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Index: Current Articles



25 July 2006

Other Articles From This Issue:

Religious Rednecks of Doom
Dr John Coulter

Cut-Throat Politics
John Kennedy

A Poem About Our Children
Mary La Rosa

Israeli Blitzkrieg
Anthony McIntyre

When Leaders Serve Foreign Interests, Everyone Loses
Mazin Qumsiyeh

By Their Friends You Shall Know Them
Mick Hall

Mission Impossible
Anthony McIntyre

Lit Crit Well Writ
Seaghán Ó Murchú

Revisiting A Literary Genius
David Adams

'The Film That Shakes A Lot More Than the Barley'
Eamon Sweeney

The Framing of Michael McKevitt: Conclusion
Marcella Sands

The Framing of Michael McKevitt: Additional Information
Marcella Sands

The Framing of Michael McKevitt: Letter of Thanks
Michael McKevitt

Pull the Other One
John Kennedy

Ex-Noraid Boss Still Gloomy on Peace Process
Jim Dee

An Honour to Have Been Part of the Blanket Protest
Anthony McIntyre

The Letters page has been updated.


19 July 2006

Dupe Process
Anthony McIntyre

Heatwave Won't Affect Cold Storage
Dr John Coulter

Hanson's Handouts
John Kennedy

Israeli State Terror
Anthony McIntyre

Judgement Day
John Kennedy

Israel, US and the New Orientalism
M. Shahid Alam

The Right, the Need to Resist
Mick Hall

An Invitation to My Neighborhood
Fred A Wilcox

Prison Fast
RPAG

Death Brings Fr Faul
Anthony McIntyre

Risking the Death of Volunteers is Not the IRA Way
Brendan Hughes

Principles and Tactics
Liam O Ruairc

The Framing of Michael McKevitt: Preliminary Hearings Cont'd.
Marcella Sands

The Framing of Michael McKevitt: Rupert's Reward
Marcella Sands

The Framing of Michael McKevitt: Rupert's Inconsistencies
Marcella Sands

Blast from the Past
John Kennedy

An Elegant End
Seaghán Ó Murchú

West Belfast - The Past, the Present and the Future
Davy Carlin

 

 

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