Ann Whelan, mother of
Michael Hickey one of the Bridgewater Four who were falsely convicted for murder and "I speak as someone who has spent twenty years fighting the tyranny of a gross miscarriage of justice. My own experiences have shown the extent to which the views of women in general are dismissed. My contributions and struggles were very much under acknowledged and dismissed by a judicial system which was and still remains male-dominated. From the beginning of my campaign for justice, I was treated with contempt by every department of the judiciary, the Home Office and successive Home Secretaries. Their attitude towards me was outrageous and it was evident throughout that I was regarded as a mere woman who had "dared to challenge the law". But armed with an overwhelming desire for truth and justice and sheer persistence I proved them wrong and my son was released three years ago along with his co-accused. After 18 years growing up in prison and being institutionalised, Michael was literally thrown onto the street without thought, help, advice or direction. Nor one individual within the establishment has written a letter or made a single telephone call offering counselling or advice. It was left once again to me to deal with and to assist Michael with such things as housing, finances, clothing, medical and psychological matters and to help him overcome all the problems which he inevitably faced after more than 18 years wrongful imprisonment. Even three years after his release, I am still having to fight to get his claim for damages met. I am aware that I am but one of many women who have to fight hard for their rights and beliefs. It is mainly women who are left to campaign to carry the banner and fight for their rights. I am proud to stand and be counted. I want to be heard and recognised for what I stand for - justice. I truly support the "Women’s Day of Action" on March 8 and wholeheartedly the interests on truth and justice. Compared to my own struggle of twenty years, a one day strike is a small price to pay for recognition of our rights." |