Hello My Friends…I wasn’t sure where to put this..and it took me a while to decide that ‘friends’ would be best

It involves my best ever friend in the whole world, a woman whom I love dearly, she is the daughter of Irelands First Woman MP in Westminster who was heavily involved with the 1968 Civil Rights Campaign in N.I and at Bloody Sunday. She was shot and left for dead in front of her children in the mid seventies, i.e.Bernadette Devlin

Roisin Mc Alliskey is her eldest daughter and has seen and been through things no woman should ever have to face. She came to public acclaim after being arrested whilst pregnant in 96 for the alleged involvement of bombings in a German/British barracks (Onsnabruc).
Whilst in prison, she was strip searched no less than 70 odd times, not forgetting she was pregnant (I still cannot bring my mind to think what else Roisin was subjected to in that hell hole).
She was held for over two years and gave birth to her first wee lass Linear (ray of sunshine) whilst chained to a bed. Her mental and physical health was at great risk throughout this ordeal.
No evidence was sufficient at the time for a conviction...yet she was used as a political pawn between the British and Northern Irish Powers that be. In 98 she was released with her daughter without charge. Now when we have a Devolved Government in N.I, The German Chancellor is calling on the British government to extradite her to Germany to face the charges there under European law...and her court date is the 21st of this month.

Since being freed, she has gotten her life back on track, settled in her new life with her family and her new addition to that, a wee boy who is now just over two.

I grew up with this lass who once told me I had no politics in a heated debate when my Dad was looking on in amazement ( lasses never debated like that in his day..it was all lipstick and beehives!!) at us putting the world to rights at the grand age of 19 and 16 respectfully, to which I responded....’no, I simply don't have yours!', and we agreed to disagree. She is no more a terrorist than I am Madonnas’ new adopted sister!

Roisins' only crime is to be her mothers daughter, and yet again seems set for another ordeal which will pull a family apart...simply out of pettiness and spite. Sure, she has amazing resilience, yes she has an ideological belief system in place in her life, but she is no terrorist.


So many times in my life when I was so mentally unstable, Roisin was at my side always. Out of all my so called friends she would be at my bedside of each psych institute I was being treated, with her exceptionally funny wit, nonchalant attitude to my drama and decent coffee!!! During the time of this alleged crime she was phoning me in Belfast from Belfast to calm on of my emotional dramas of which there were plenty.

Ladies, I am in mortal fear for Roisin at this time and as well as asking for prayers....I have been permitted to post a link which calls on all involved to stop the extradition? (Dots, again, I thank you from my heart )

In ones lifetime, you could usually count on one hand the amount of true friends who will always be there for you, this is my chance and my turn to be a friend to my friend, who never judged me when others spat in my face, who never went with the crowd when the stigma of mental heath issues predominated. Who always (even at this time) will put others first, me and mine included.

I hope you can see it in your hearts to join me in my prayers for Roisin and her family.
Please also if you don’t mind, check out the link and see if you want to help.

With thanks

Popea

http://www.friendsofroisinmcaliskey.info/index.asp

You have had my prayers since I first saw this 2 days ago. I signed the email complaint right away.

Is Amnesty International getting involved in this?

I just saw this, and have added my email to the list.

Me too, added my email address as well.

Ladies and Mom...I thank you for your support..as I am sure you have seen in the link the real injustice in this case! Twenty three peeps have looked at this thread...this is upsetting as well as bewildering?

Just before I went into hospital, Roisin phoned me with some work, which would and could be fully funded by charitable organisations, i.e setting up and running jewellery workshops in a run down area in my home town(an area of regeneration). She talked with such enthusiasm about the projects and my future career...I could barely utter a word as I was just filled with tears and fear for what could be lying ahead for her.

I did manage to tell her I would be doing this and she was so delighted and asked me to thank sincerely any and all who supported her and her famlily in this grim this travesty.

Mom, as far as I know 'amnesty' are already involved.

I implore you all out there to at least have a look at the link and if you can, say yeah or ney.
The last thing I want from this is a political debate....this is just simply about one friend helping another at a time of great hardship in one of the only ways I can.
I am sure you all would do the same.

Love Pauline

Po, I have added my name also. Thanks for the opportunity to have a voice.

Add my email and name to the mix. I think this is unbelievable and just so tragic!

I added my name too. Please keep us updated.

This is very shocking to read Po. Especially since I always thought the German prisons are the most humane ever. I haven't read or heard anything about Róisín McAliskey here. I'll be checking into it, and of course would appreciate updates.

Not only did I sign the email complaint, but I sent a letter with this link to Ms. Magazine and told them they should write about this.

If they wanted a personal background for the article, would you be willing to be interviewed? Just thinking ahead...