NORTH OF IRELAND:; EASTER LILIES - PRISON SERVICE OBDURATE OVER BAN

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In what must rank as one of the most pig-headed decisions in the history of the UK Prison Service the Northern Ireland Division of the organisation has refused to review

Cathal Ó Luain Par Celtic League le 4/06/09 23:51

In what must rank as one of the most pig-headed decisions in the history of the UK Prison Service the Northern Ireland Division of the organisation has refused to review its ban on prisoners being allowed to wear Easter Lilies.

In a somewhat puerile attempt to justify the ban the Service points to a `judicial' decision on the issue.

The Celtic League intend to continue to campaign on this issue which effectively accepts the `remembrance day' poppy as symbol of tradition and sees the Lily regarded as a `paramilitary emblem'. (See below):

"Prison Service Northern Ireland

Our reference: Easter Lilies

18th May 2009

Re: Easter Lilies

Dear Sir/Madam

In response to your letter dated 17th April 2009, I can confirm the following:

A number of prisoners were indeed placed on report for refusing an order to remove Easter Lilies when they were leaving a prisoner Recreation Room and entering on to the Residential Landing.

The Northern Ireland Police Service has previously stated in an application for Judicial Review of Christopher Donaldson to the Queen's Bench Division, reference WEAH4835.T

"That certain emblems are permitted, such as poppies or shamrock, although they are primarily symbols of particular traditions, while certain emblems are prohibited such as Easter Lilies, because while they may be symbols of a particular tradition they are also regarded as a paramilitary symbol of conflict."

Weatherup J agreed with the Prison Service stance and stated:

"I was satisfied that the characters of the poppy and shamrock were not generally perceived as primarily emblems of the conflict. From the applicants point of view it may have been that he viewed the poppy as an emblem of conflict, as representing British militarism in Ireland, but the Fair Employment Commission did not consider that the poppy was perceived as a conflict emblem. I accepted the objective and reasonable justification for the different treatment of the Easter Lily that was offered on behalf of the respondent."

The Northern Ireland Prison Service's stance on this matter has been well tested by the courts and has been seen as fair and proportionate.

The prison authorities have no plans to reconsider the current policy.

I hope this response clarifies the situation.

Yours faithfully

Andrew Tosh Governor V Residential"

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