‘In this winter time, I often think about the people of good heart…I hope your good heart sets an example to others…’

In this winter time, I often think about the people of good heart.
You and all the rest of the family are such a person.
I hope your good heart sets an example to others and repays you with the same.
Thank you for your good hearts with my loved ones.
Marta Herda
December 2019

Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor retires

On June 21, 2019 Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor said her farewell to Dochas Centre and retired from her office.

On that day all women prisoners were locked in their cells. During this time, a farewell event for Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor was held on the gym. In presence of officers, prison guards, friends and family.

Prisoners locked in their cells were given sweet muffins.
After the part at the gym, Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor, accompanied by her family walked around whole prison for the lat time. She also visited every cell. Martha recalls that everyone was very kind and admired her paintings.

A week earlier similar farewell event but in the presence of inmates was also held in the gym.
At the beginning a choir of prisoners sang a short song (exceptionally on that day Martha didn’t sing in the choir). Later Mrs Governor made a speech and was handed presents from the inmates. There was also a time for personal talks with women serving their sentences in Dochas Centre in Dublin.
Speaking to Martha Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor said, that everyone leaves the prison eventually.

Photo: Archive photo taken from https://www.irishprisons.ie/prison/dochas-centre/

Highly recommended

Death always comes too early – words of gratitude for Senior Marshal of Polish Parliament Kornel Morawiecki

On Monday, September 30, 2019, before noon, in the presence of his so, the Prime Minister of Poland, Mateusz Morawiecki, Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki had passed away.
In unanimous opinion of Polish people – remarkable personality, a man of action, a patriot, an outstanting Pole.
From our own experience we can also say, a man sensitive to someones harm.
Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki, despite attending important matters of the State, and his own health problems, took interest in the case of Martha Herda.
After getting to know the case, he saw the need to intervene in the case of Martha Herda.
The family asked him to wait untim Martha will find herself in Poland…

We wholeheartedly thank the Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki for his interest in the case of Martha Herda. This alone was a huge support for Martha and the source of great comfort.
Martha got to know about Marshal’s death on Monday noon. It was exceptionally hard day…

On behalf of Martha Herda and her Family, we express our sincere compassion to the family of late Marshal Senior Kornel Morawiecki.
We express our special sympathy to the Prime Minister of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, and to Jerzy Morawiecki.
The more Outstanting Man, the greater emptiness remains…

Ireland searches for an illness within Martha and wants to treat her! – THERE’S NO CONSENT for next examinations.

1st of May. In Poland it is a holiday and an anniversary of Poland entering European Union.
This was supposed to be a calm day. But not for Martha and her family.
In the morning Martha was only allowed to brush her teeth, and on an empty stomach she was put to medical examination in the hospital nearby.
The family found out that Martha was taken for examination in the morning.
The sister called Polish Embassy. But the Polish Embassy wasn’t working. It had no sense to call for the emergency number of Polish Embassy in Dublin, because it is only a “telephone helpline”. You can talk, and be more or less favorably heard. “Please write us na e-mail” – most frequent answer. And no practical help comes out of it.
Only waiting for a phone call from Martha left.
And she called.
Half year ago Martha told about her ailments. The sister had sent Martha some medications, but the were not delivered to Martha.
Instead of that, on May 1, after half of year of waiting, she was treated with a medical examination in the hospital nearby. She was transported without handcuffs, with a car (despite the small distance – practically across the street), with two prison officers: a woman and a man.

This was the first time in three years Martha had left the prison walls. For the first time in three years she saw a sky without the bars (in prison there is a net even above the yard to stop any “air deliveries” shot above the buildings from slingshots).
Martha assesses, that everyone was very polite, and the doctor seemed suprized.
During the examination Martha was informed that another test must be carried out, and after that a treatment. During the treatment Martha’s hair could fall out.

What to think about this?
If 99 times someone hurted us. And always did it “with a smile”, “politely”, and “for our own good”. Can you now believe that this one time that someone has sincere intentions?
We don’t know that. And we don’t want to check.
The risk is too high.
WE DON’T TRUST IRELAND.
Nothing was fair in Martha Herda’s case. On any stage.
Nothing was fair in the investigation, in Irish media, in the Courts, and in prison.
In prison Martha is still discriminated.
How can we believe in Ireland’s good intentions?

Martha Herda’s family strongly objects any additional, out of procedure medical examinations of Martha. It’s a shared position of Martha and her family.
We also express our surprise, that no one asked Martha for consent to those examinations, and that she didn’t have to express the consent in writing.
In every civilized European country, no medical tests would be carried out without a written consent of the patient.
Martha still has her Rights, Human Rights.
And the Ireland is still doing whatever it wants.

Ireland, do you want to help Martha?
Give her medication sent to her by her sister,
And the best cure… would be returning Martha her FREEDOM…

 

Highly recommended

From behind bars Martha Herda throws a challenge for Fergus O’Brien – “Let us both be examined with a lie detector” (video with english subtitles)

 

Martha thanks from the heart to MP Liroy for his support

Already from the first day, when a short video of a Member of Polish Parliament Piotr Liroy-Marzec, Martha asked her family to play the video to her.
Although not quite clearly, but she heard him in a short phone call with family.
In the following days she also asked for playing it.

Martha asked the family for giving the MP her wholehearted thanks.
Martha thanks from the heart for all support she receives for MP Liroy.
Martha also appreciates, that MP who candidates for European Parliament, found the time to record a short video.

Martha will also thank MP Liroy personally on the first opportunity. Maybe during next phone call or maybe in person.

Martha’s family joins in thanks.
Additionally the family wishes to thank from the heart to MP Liroy for cheering Martha in an earlier phone call.
We will remember the words said by the MP to Martha: “Start getting used to polish food”.
Thank you.

WE keep our word – Thank You Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor

Beautiful photo. Three beautiful women. Mother and two daughters. All smiling.
All seemingly happy. Or rather – happy with the moment.
No one who would look, would probably guess, that the photo was taken in prison.
In Dochas Centre in Dublin, Ireland.

Three women holding together.
Martha in the middle of the photo.
In a black t-shirt with big Irish Red Cross logo on her chest.

On October 23,2018, Martha received a International Red Cross Volunteer certificate.
After the celebration one of reporters walked towards Martha and her family, and asked if she could take a photo. She walked only to them.
She cleared it with Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor.
She took a photo of three women, who were hugging each other all the time.

Mrs Governor said, that Martha will get the photo and she will be allowed to pass it to the family, if it will not be published on the Internet.

In last letter, Martha’s family received this special photo.
It doesn’t matter if we agree with the prohibition or not, or if we think that this prohibition is sensible or not:
WE KEEP OUR WORD
We thank Mrs Governor Mary O’Connor

In the same letter Martha attached a small heart-shaped candy:
“YOU’RE MINE”

Women remember best those flowers which they didn’t get – No flower… just one candy and back to the cell… – International Women’s Day in Dochas Centre in Dublin

International Women’s Day in Dochas Centre in Dublin, Ireland…
It’s next Women’s Day for Martha spent in prison…
Every time something different…

And now?
How did March 8, 2019, look like in Dochas Centre in Dublin, Ireland?

Short meeting in the gym…
…Women sang 4 songs…
…got one chocolate candy each and… back to the cell…

Some women in Dochas Centre was counting for something, and got nothing…
Including Martha.
She hoped at least for some flower…

Romantic and accustomed to some values and traditions, Martha made herself hearts from the modelling clay, and put them in her cell…