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> >Published on Monday 5 September 2011 08:38 > >JAILED republican Martin Corey has said he still has >“no idea” why he is being held in prison- almost a >year and a half after his arrest. > >Speaking exclusively to the ‘MAIL’ from Maghaberry >prison, the Lurgan man said he believes he has been >imprisoned because of his political beliefs. > >He also warned that a hunger strike among republicans >in the County Antrim jail could happen “very soon”. > >Mr Corey served 19 years in prison for the killing of >two RUC men in 1973. He was released on licence in >1992. > >However, the Secretary of State revoked his licence in >April 2010 after he was deemed to be a “security risk”. > >He has been held in Maghaberry prison since then. > >“I have been in prison for nearly a year and a half, >and I still haven’t been given a reason,” said Mr >Corey. > >“They have put forward a number of allegations against >me, and I’m not able to defend myself against any of >them. > >“They say I have been seen speaking to known >republicans, and that I visited a number of houses in >Lurgan Tarry. > >“What does that matter? It doesn’t mean I’ve done >anything wrong. > >“They have absolutely nothing on me, and that’s why >they haven’t charged me. > >“If I went to court, I would end up being released >because there is not a shred of evidence against me.” > >He continued: “When I was arrested last April, I was >taken to Lurgan police station. None of the police >officers in the station knew why I had been arrested. > >“I was then taken to Maghaberry. When I got here, even >the prison officers were surprised to see me. > >“One of them asked me what I was doing here, and I >replied, ‘You know as much as I do’. > >“I was thrown into a cell and I have been here ever >since. > >“The fact that I’m in here and haven’t been given a >reason makes the whole thing even worse. > >“If they have anything on me, they should charge me >and send me to trial. If not, I should be released.” > >The 61-year-old worked as a grave digger in the town >for twelve years before he was arrested. > >“When I was released from Long Kesh, I did not get >involved in anything. I would have attended the odd >white-line picket, things like that. But that’s the >most I would have been involved with. > >“I have held down a steady job for more than a decade, >and even got a character reference from Monsignor >Hamill. To accuse me of posing a threat is just >ridiculous.” > >Mr Corey said the ongoing dirty protest at the prison >could soon escalate. > >He said: “A hunger strike is looking like a very real >possibility. The agreement of August last year is not >being implemented, and this protest is likely to >escalate. > >“The last hunger strike started with a dirty protest, >and this dispute could end the same way.” > >He added: “There are plenty of volunteers for a hunger >strike. That’s one thing there’s no shortage of.”

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