Jailed Real IRA men to cost public €3m
The Prison Service has confirmed Louth men Aiden and Robert Hulme were repatriated from one of Britain’s most secure prisons to Portlaoise in the past week.
They had been housed in the notorious Belmarsh Special Secure Unit after they were convicted for their part in the failed 2001 Real IRA bombing campaign.
In 2003, the Old Bailey sentenced both brothers to 20 years in prison of which they have 17 left to serve. The Department of Justice refused to confirm if any special arrangements had been made with the British authorities.
“We cannot talk about any individual cases, it is really a matter for the Prison Service,” a spokesman said.
A spokeswoman for the prison service said the brothers would serve out the remainder of their sentences in Ireland.
“We cannot give out details of the extradition agreement. We can confirm both men are now in Irish prisons.”
After their return the two men were given a cell on the E3 landing of the prison alongside fellow Real IRA prisoners and the group’s leader Michael McKevitt.
At current levels of expenditure it will cost the State €90,000 a year to keep each man in jail.
Supporters of the Hulme brothers had organised a prolonged petition to have them brought to a prison closer to home because of fears over Aiden Hulme’s health.
While in prison his health deteriorated due to an injury to his leg and he was told it would have to be amputated.
This prognosis was reversed on further medical examination and he did not have to undergo this procedure.
An online statement from the Irish Freedom Committee has claimed all money the British government was seeking for medical expenses was returned to the Hulmes’ prior to their repatriation.
The committee’s supporters had subsidised a €10,000 medical bill.
“The money was finally returned in full to the family after widespread exposure and condemnation of this barbaric demand on a frightened family.”
The brothers had operated as part of a Real IRA cell which planned to bomb an number of sites in Britain including the BBC building, throughout 2001.
Their plot was discovered by customs officials investigating diesel smuggling.
