A chairde,

 Pol’s father Joe, brothers and sisters Patrick, Edmund, Linda, Marian, Kathleen, Moya, Joanne and Sal all support Pol’s fight against deportation and have been working to raise awareness of his plight.  The Ballymurphy community are very supportive of us in our efforts, through the Ballymurphy Ex-Prisoners group, the Resource Centre and our friends and neighbours.   Everyone knows the Brennans as we grew up there and our dad Joe still lives in the family home.  The Ballymurphy community were an oppressed and demonised people throughout our struggle, but we were always a determined, dynamic and vibrant community and are very proud of our roots.

We have always had the support of our MP Gerry Adams and MLAs in the Stormont assembly, who have assured us of their on going support.  We know that representation has been made at the highest level and we are grateful for all the effort and support that has been given.  We have been working to raise awareness in the wider community and have been distributing leaflets on Pol’s plight throughout Belfast.  We have sent them to ex-prisoner and community associations.  Last Sunday we gave them to GAA supporters at our county grounds Casement Park during the Antrim v Derry match (Antrim won!)  The response we got was terrific and since this we have been inundated with people wanting information, and offers of help and support from all over Ireland.

 We want to say go raibh mhaith agaibh to everyone in Ireland and the US who are helping and supporting Pol in his current situation, all those who have supported him throughout his life when times were difficult for him and his family when fighting extradition and being imprisoned.  The support he received from friends and supporters really humbled us all.  Pol needs all our support now and we are working hard on his behalf here in Belfast.  We are a big family and we are using all our influence to highlight Pol’s case.  We will continue, and would ask you to continue, in our support of Pol.

 Beir bua

The Brennan family

Outside Casement Park

Leaflet distributed

Thank you statement from the Brennan family to Radio Free Eireann

Thank you Radio Free Eireann for your support of our son and brother Pol Brennan. As you are aware Pol is currently held in Port Elizabeth detention centre Texas, and until recently held in solitary confinement.  Thankfully this has been reviewed and Pol is back among the general population of the detention centre.  We are very worried on Pol’s behalf, we think that after all he has been through it’s time this was over for him.  Pol has been in prison since he was just 20 years old, he is now 55.  He was interned without trial and then a sentenced political prisoner. 

He joined the no wash protest in the H-Blocks, the first hunger strike and went through the trauma of the 1981 hunger strike, where with his fellow political prisoners lost ten friends and comrades.  After escaping in 83 he arrived in the US and, married to Joanna, he settled down into something of a normal life.  He fought extradition throughout the 1990’s when he was again imprisoned and is currently fighting deportation while being held in detention.  We feel that the recent political progress has enabled us all to move on after the conflict and Pol is being denied this opportunity. 

 We support the Republican leadership through the current phase of struggle, and believe that we are closer to our goal of a united Ireland through the peace process.  Pol is not a threat to anyone, like the rest of his family he believes in ‘doing the right thing’.  Pol knows this issue affects others and he will fight until its conclusion.  Pol knows no other way, and we his family and friends support him all the way.

 Beir bua 

 Marian Keenan (Pols sister)

On behalf of the Brennan family

Ballymurphy

Belfast

The Great Escape Remembered.

On Saturday 21st   June 2008 in Belfast in the Whiterock leisure center in Ballymurphy there was an event celebrating the historical break out from the

Maze Prison in 1983 when 38 Irish Political Prisoners drove through the main gates of the most guarded jails in Europe and escaped. Pol Brennan was

on of those who took part in that great escape and came to the US immediately to start a new life.

Pol’s family in Ireland who are heading an awareness campaign in Ireland were present at this event, they said, it was really good, very informative and

I must say entertaining evening.  We were told the story by Bobby Storey, Bik Mc Farland, and Jerry Kelly, others added to the exploits of the escape. 

A large crowed attended and there were leaflets on each seat highlighting Pol's situation.  At the end ot the proceedings Sinn Fein M.L.A Sue Ramsey

was on stage to thank everyone who took part in telling the story of this historic event and asked the audience to remember that Pol needs their support

and urged them to sign the petition to send letters and messages of support to Pol.