Brendan Lillis (59) is a former Political Prisoner who served a lengthy sentence behind bars for Republican activities. He was released from Long Kesh in 1994 and returned to his West Belfast home. 

In October, 2009, Brendy was again arrested in connection with an attempted robbery in County Derry. Within hours of his arrest, the British Secretary of State revoked his Life Sentence licence and he was returned to gaol. 

In February 2011, the High Court in Belfast decided that Brendy should not stand trial and all charges were dropped against him. Despite the ruling, he remains in the prison hospital at Maghaberry Gaol. 

He suffers from a chronic medial condition called, ankylosing spondylitis which cause the spine to fuse. At present, he is confined to bed and his condition has taken a turn for the worst. His weight has also plummeted to 75 pounds and his state is causing huge concern to his friends and family. 

Brendan Lillis has now lain in bed for 600 days. He is currently in a medical unit within HMP Maghaberry. His weight has plummetted to st 5lbs.  His condition is called Ankylosing Spondylitis, a chronic incurable condition which has gone largely untreated and has caused Brendan to deteriorate at an alarming rate. He is unable to walk as his spine is now fused.  He istoo weak to talk , and he is going blind. Since Dec. 2010 he has received just 4 therapy sessions. Doctors have stated to the Prison that they are not now able to treat him with the measure of care that he requires. He requires specialist care in what little time he has left, this level of personal care is not available to him whilst he is incarcerated in prison. 

The Doctors have intimated that he has around 10 days to live.

Brendan was one of many prisoners released as part of the Good Friday Agreement. Upon his release in 1994 he returned to his home in West Belfast. In 2009 he was detained on dubious evidence in relation to an attempted "Tiger  Kidnapping" upon his arrest his licence was revoked. All charges have since been dropped and he is now serving out a sentence given him in the 1970's. Brendan Lillis spent over sixteen brutal years in Long Kesh, four of which he spent on the blanket protest.

He is most certainly not a danger to anyone

His continued internment is in breach of The European Convention On Human Rights  Article 5: the Right to Liberty and Security - specifically the duty owed by the State to inform him of the reason for his continued detention; and Article 6: The Right to a fair trial. Brendan is also entitled to provision of medical services under Article 2: The Right To Life.  

The outside world knows next to nothing about Brendan Lillis and his agonizing pending death at the hands of an uncaring and unsympathetic British Penal Establishment. The media by and large are wary of publishing news of this nature, but these are facts and the Public has every right to know. 

Brendan's partner Roisin has bravely battled the powers that keep him. She has been a shining example of dignified campaigning in the face of extreme adversity and insensitivity, and she has won the admiration of a legion of supporters. The "Friends Of Brendan Lillis" campaign has amassed several thousand members worldwide, who are all frantically emailing, texting, lobbying, phoning politicians - the NI Secretary Of State , NI Justice Minister , UK and Irish Officials, local and national news outlets, and anyone who may listen.

There are no winners in this campaign for the humanitarian release of Brendan Lillis, because whether he is released or not, he is DYING. No one is looking to score political points.

Brendan meets all the guidelines and requirements for a compassionate and immediate release, yet the British Establishment only see fit to pass the buck from one department to another. Meetings are set only to arrange other meetings regarding Brendan's fate. These meetings are merely a smokescreen to stall long enough so that the humane decision is never made, because by that time he will sadly have passed away. 

If the unthinkable happens, then this campaign will not cease to be, because I for one, and thousands of others will keep fighting to let people know about Brendan Lillis, and a corrupt Justice system that is not fit for the purpose.

The effort to release Brendan is costly to maintain. All donations are gladly accepted to support this cause, and will go directly to his family to help cover the expense of fighting for his release. Please consider donating below.

Or click below to donate any amount.

And whether or not you are able to donate, please sign the PETITION TO RELEASE BRENDAN LILLIS.

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