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This morning.

Protesters including Sinn Fein MEP Lynn Boylan (pic 3), outside the Department of Justice offices on Stephen’s Green this morning, calling for the release of 21-year-old Afghan asylum seeker Walli Ullah Safi from prison.

Walli, who can’t speak English, was found walking on the M7 in Dublin two weeks ago. He had no documentation and was held in Cloverhill Prison where he was badly injured when a riot broke out at the jail on Wednesday.

(Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie)

Previously: Free Walli

Calls for Justice Minister to provide protection for Afghan man assaulted in Cloverhill Prison (Newstalk)

Pics: Paula Geraghty

UPDATE:

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Thanks Anon Racism

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57 thoughts on “#FreeWalli

    1. Nessy

      The only crime he’s committed (and from what I can gather the only reason he was held in prison at all) was because he failed to produce an ID. All non EEA nationals are required by law to produce ID to confirm their identity when requested by members of the Gardaí.

      There’s been past cases where the courts suggested deaf/disabled prisoners were given suspended sentences and/or not set to prison because prison was deemed inadequate for them because they’d fail to communicate with other inmates, yet here’s a young man (21) unable to speak a word of English and thrown into the deep end with hardened criminals. It’s a disgrace what happened to him.

      1. donkey_kong

        he declined to apply for bail , he had full legal representation so we can only assume he was happy to with said arrangement.
        the judge remarked that being looked after in jail would be the best place for him.
        And the law is the law. If you don’t like the ID rule (I for one approve of said measure) then go badger your local TDs
        The state is not to blame – the people who attacked him are the disgrace.

        injuries during a riot can happen , the fault is always with the attackers as with every attack

        1. Nigel

          The state has a duty of care to the people in its custody. That’s where the public interest lies in a case like this.

        2. Nessy

          I don’t have an issue with the law regarding non EEA nationals being required to produce ID, most countries have this law and not once did I give out about that law. I would rather badger my local TD on more pressing issues thanks (such as housing issues, rising homelessness and unemployment etc. but that’s besides the point).

          The point is he was placed in an area with some clearly dangerous criminals where he couldn’t communicate due to his lack of English. Surely a solitary room away from the main prison crowd (the ones that broke his arm, beat him and held him hostage) would have far been more beneficial.

        1. Nessy

          It is a crime if you’re a non EEA national

          Non-EEA nationals in Ireland must present a passport or equivalent document confirming their identity and nationality, or their Registration Certificate (GNIB card), on demand to any immigration officer or member of An Garda Síochána, where the purpose of the demand is to establish whether the person is legally resident in the State
          The requirement does not apply to asylum-seekers and refugees
          It is an offence not to comply with the requirement. The penalty for failing to comply is up to 12 months imprisonment, a fine of up to €3,000, or both

          http://www.nascireland.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-in-ireland-and-id-documents/

    2. herselfthere

      Actually its not a crime to seek asylum, its a basic human right. Once you apply you are legally resident in the state. He isn’t in prison because he is “illegal”. He is in prison cos he had no id. But as soon as he said he was applying for asylum he should have been processed as an asylum seeker and given identity documents.

  1. Bobby

    It’s reprehensible that a young man so desperately seeking out better opportunities was put into this situation. I’m almost at a loss for words. Conal Boyce, this mans legal representation, has been shambolic, as had the mechanisms of the state at dealing with their obligation to protect and help this asylum seeker.

    Jesus, youd think that an island of people with the history of persecution and migration would be more compassionate when dealing with issues of humanity and protection.

          1. Nigel

            You think fair and human treatment is dependent on nationality? You think fair and humane treatment should not be the default mode of how the state treats anyone?

  2. Avon Barksdale

    Have to be honest, I’m pretty disappointed someone there didn’t make a banner with a picture of Walli breaching over the prison gates with a guard standing under him and the sun setting behind them

    1. classter

      Is it really?

      Ex-asylum seekers (sadly) are keeping their head down and trying not to attract opprobrium.
      No doubt Irish Voice would have something else to say about them if they were there protesting.

    2. Bobby

      It’s nonsense. The fact that people came out in short notice and at that tricky time for one person is indicative of the support people show. There is constant solidarity events for migrants, solidarity actions with the ‘global South’ and so on. Even the fact that his case got pushed and highlighted by people shows the dedication of those with compassionate social and political outlooks.

      Most people are busy, struggling themselves and/or tired day to day, but there are much more people willing to go out on to the street and support people in struggle and people in need than go out on to the street for bigoted reasons.

  3. Mr. T.

    The ‘West’ stirs it up in Middle East and North Africa through antagonistic political rhetoric and supporting various sides in proxy wars and direct bombing (Libya).

    Then when the the human fallout reaches Europe, nobody wants to know, acts as though it’s entirely unconnected.

    Can’t have your cake and eat it. There’s consequences to actions. Own them.

    1. mauriac

      most of the people crossing the med seem to be from sub Saharan Africa. how is that connected to NATO wrecking Libya ?

  4. Bejayziz

    Sick to death of this, if he wants to live here he can go through the process everyone else does, if he refuses and enters illegally he should be detained and sent back, whats so hard to understand about that

    1. NilNocere

      He should never have been put in the position where he was held hostage in one of the largest prisons in the state. I don’t know how you can’t but feel for this guy. Sad. Seriously though why can’t our country just do the basic things right. :(

    2. soundmigration

      The fact that “due process” hasnt been started is a question for Conal Boyce the solicitor. Hes seems to be happy to take the legal aid cash without providing the erm… basic legal aid.

  5. Brian S

    “migration is not a crime” no its not, but entering a country illegally with no identification papers and not presenting yourself to the nearest police station to seek asylum is a crime. A crime for which he was imprisoned for, what happened to him in prison should have no influence on the crime he committed.

    going on what these people placards are saying they want complete freedom of movement worldwide, grand so, does that mean if i fancy the look of your gaff i should just be able to wait till you’re out, break in and call it freedom to live where I want?!

    stupid neo-liberals

    1. Bobby

      These people with placards are exactly saying that if you fancy the look of someones gaff you should just be able to wait till it’s empty, break in and call it freedom to live where you want.

      I think it’s more about supporting desperate people who need help and all that there..

      1. scottser

        i think it’s a neo-liberal, spouting neo-liberal views but thinks that neo-liberals are stupid.

  6. soundmigration

    Jonotti whats the fair point from Irish Voice? The ‘low’ numbers? Or the calling for the public identification of those present without any reason why they are asking for people to be named on their webpage?

    I spoke to the guy taking the photos. He said to me he used to be a member of Republican Sinn Fein. Within the last 5 mins I’ve been sent info, video and photos showing the same guy harrassing an Iman in an Islamic Center in Kilkenny, 1 of 5 men sitting at the back of an Identity Ireland meeting in Limerick (the other 4 are known far right heads). This was attached with a description saying the man actually is British and a former organiser of the BNP.

    TBH I can’t verify the basis of all this stuff right now, but since covering the Identity Ireland press launch last week, I’m getting send more info than I can handle. Also got my first online death threat too from right wing racists which is all a bit surreal.

  7. Clampers Outside!

    Let me work a few numbers here…

    20 to 30 protesters he says, let’s say 25. And where are all the “ex asylum seekers?”

    25 people protesting, representing asylum seekers sounds like a statistically good number to me.

    If 30,000 is supposed to be a hugely representative number for a population of 3.4m adults….

    Then similarly, 25 would be a representative of 2,900 “ex asylum seekers”….

    In 2012, there were 1,625 asylum seekers, 140 who got asylum, and are now “ex asylum seekers” and the numbers have not grown since, so let’s assume 140 per year… which would mean that that number of 25 protesters could possibly represent the total number of “ex asylum seekers” for the past 20 years.

    Not bad :)

    Fupp off Irish Voice, you’re a spa.

    1. Clampers Outside!

      “….could possibly represent the total number of “ex asylum seekers” for the past 20 years.”

      Should have read… could possibly be a good representation of the total number of “ex asylum seekers” for the past 20 years.

      Yep, that’s what I wanted to say :)

      Stupid Irish Voice.

  8. Gers

    Coming in with no papers (therefore illegally) in Ireland isn’t a crime now? YeeHaww, open the gates Sesame! Madness and non-sense. I think some of those crusties should be put in charge of Walli – Let’s see if they would be prepared to do that.

  9. Drogg

    Dear Irish Voice, the reason there is such a poor turn out is that unlike your nazi loving, xenophobic, muppet brigade the rest of us have jobs to go to during the day.

    1. Nessy

      Hear hear! Many people would be more than happy to attend this if it wasn’t for their working hours dictating their unavailability to attend.

      And as for Irish Voice, they don’t speak for Ireland with their clearly xenophobic ramblings, as Clampers said:
      Fupp off Irish Voice, you’re a spa.

    1. Lorcan Nagle

      They’re a far right hate group. I’m sure they see themselves as shitkickers and hard men, but they generally fart about online about how the left in Europe is on the way out.

  10. Lorcan Nagle

    Can’t help but notice Irish Voice looking to put names to the faces there, a tactic they’ve pulled a number of times after trawling photos of left-wing rallies and protests.

    1. 15 cents

      irish voice is always at that cr@p. takin photos of people without asking them and puttin em up and insulting them. he/she had a go at me over my english name before so i asked back what his/her name was and they wouldnt give it, then when i called them out on it they blocked me. typical coward. luckily they are a minority. would still like them removed tho. im forever reporting them to facebook and facebook keep saying the page is fine, yet they removed a pic of a guys book coz it had the statue of molly malone on it with her statue tits. ridic carry on.

  11. Weldoniniho

    Wheres Wally?? No idea, but theres a load of them outside the Justice department.

Comments are closed.

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