Category Archives: Messages from prison

Martha’s first test before High School exam

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On Friday, November 9, Martha took the first part of the test before the high school exams.
In the form of conversation and tests her degree of preparation for the exam was checked.
Reading in English, writing in English and mathematics.
First part of the exam lasted for about 40 minutes.

The second part of the exam was a week later, on Friday, November 16.
Just like the first part it lasted for about 40 minutes.

The test concerned checking if Martha has dislexia or dysgraphia.
If it would turn out that Martha has dyslexia or dysgraphia, she would have additional time during the high school exam.

The final exam is planned for June 2019.
Alongside with Martha, few women from Dochas Centre prison also prepare for high school exams.
Number of women can still change, but as of now, it’s about 6 women.

Martha is still learning for exams.
She doesn’t yet know the results of her check exam.

Highly recommended

Visit of the solicitor, Frank Gearty – Martha signs an application to ECHR

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On Saturday, November 10, Martha was visited by her attorney, Frank Gearty.
The main goal of the visit was discussing the issues related with submitting the application to European Court of Human Rights.
Martha got acquainted with prepared application.
Martha, just as her family, agree with the application prepared by an attorney Frank Gearty.

This is probably the first document in Martha’s case that is “on the topic”.
Specific and factual.
Arguments used are convincing even for people not knowing anything about the law.
Because every human knows and understands what rights he or she has.
And feels when his or her rights, HUMAN RIGTS, were violated.

We thank to the attorney Frank Gearty for his very good work.

Martha signed the application to European Court of Human Rights.

She didn’t want to leave a copy of the document for her in prison.

Martha’s tiring weekend – Martha gets another licence

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Weekend, from October 26 to 28 was exceptionally tiring for Martha.
She gained another license.
For whole 3 days she was finishing a course.

Because of the course, Martha told her friends, she won’t be able to come for visit.
Therefore no one planned visit on Sunday.

During three days Martha was conducting classes, that were assessed.
Now she received a license, and she will conduct classes with fellow inmates on her own.
On what topic?
“How to deal with violence and how to avoid violence in prison”

We are pleased to note, that this way the prison authorities in Dochas Centre involuntarily confirm that Martha is far from using violence.
Classes with such topic couldn’t be conducted by someone, who has a problem with violence.
After knowing her closer, people who have contact with Martha get convinced, that it is impossible for Martha to ever use any violence against anyone.

“How to deal with and how to avoid…”

Is anyone in Dochas Centre more active?

Mum and sister visit Martha (pt. 2)- 23rd of October 2018 – Martha receives International Red Cross Volunteer Certificate

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“Tuesday was the day, when first two hours we’ve spent hugging, as always, and talking on endless subjects…

Next entry to the visiting room started with welcoming by mrs Governor of all present people, between which were teachers and  representatives of International Red Cross Organization.
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the idea of promoting and work of the organization, and a first aid demonstration by Martha and another woman.
On this meeting, certificates were given to four women, as International Volunteers of Red Cross, including Martha.

Next was a surprise – a performance of women, who sang 3 songs with a guitar. This was them most touching element to us…
Tears were streaming down… when we heard the words abount a sister, mum, and that “someday I will fly from here…”
At the mere memory of it, our eyes get wet from emotions…

Next there were congratulations, thanks, hugs, words of encouragement for the future…
And a nice last part – coffee drunk together, with a cake.
We’ve given our portions to Martha, so she can have something sweet for later… because what else could we do…
Then hard parting… So many feelings, still to little of time spent together, to little, to short…

This was our last meeting, almost torn hands and hearts…
When will we meet again??? We don’t know…”

Mum and sister visit Martha – from 21st to 23rd of October 2018 – part 1.

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“Visiting Marttha: 21st of October – 23rd of October 2018

Meeting on sunday, after few months (since April) started with tears of emotion. Feelings took us over so much, that only thing we could do was to swallow bitter tears, without the possibility to say a word…
We’ve only looked at Martha, and she looked at us, and we held our hands tight together…
After some time we started talking.
And so, not knowing when, the visit time passed.

On the next day, we were full of enthusiasm from the possibility of meeting, so the time passed even quicker, full of mixed emotions, from joy, through helplessness, anger, sadness…”

Martha makes birthday wishes to her Mum

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Today Martha made a phone call to her Mum.
She gave special birthday wishes for her Mum.
She remembered, as always.
She wished her mum for her to live as long as possible, no shorter than 100 years.
She wished her mum for her to be always smiling, no matter the situation that happened.
She wished her mum for her to be always happy…

And what will Martha wish for her Mum in the next year?
Will it be from the same place?
We hope NOT.
May it be personally.
May it by from freedom…
Those would be the best wishes for Mother…

Unreal?
It depends from good will and effective actions of many people…
Let’s help in fulfilling those most-anticipated desires, wishes, expectations…

Martha thanks her solicitor Frank Gearty, during a phone call

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On Monday, September 24, Martha called her attorney – Frank Gearty.
During the call, she thanked the attorney for his prompt action to protect her car from being destroyed.
Martha fully supports the actions of her current attorney – Frank Gearty.
She’s grateful for every action and preparations for next battles for clearing her from the absurd accusation.

The family thanked the attorney via e-mail on Tuesday, September 25.

Securing Martha’s car is very important.
We must only trust that Irish GARDA will follow clear and unambiguous dispositions of Martha’s attorney.
Probably enough strange things happened in Martha’s case already…
Maybe it’s time for some… normality…

We thank the solicitor Frank Gearty, and the new barrister for thorough explaining further actions to Martha

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On Saturday, September 15, 2018, Martha’s current solicitor, Frank Gearty, went to visit Martha. Together with the new barrister, they thoroughly explained current situation to Martha, and presented their suggestions regarding next actions.
The meeting lasted for two hours and it was very constructive.
Martha is very glad both about very substantive, professional talk, and about calm atmosphere.

Everything was thoroughly explained to her. Without forcing anything.
Martha was afraid of this meeting. Unnecessarily.
In a free atmosphere she shared her doubts. She understood better the mistakes made so far. Everything was calmly explained to her, and made sure she understood.
But most important is what’s next.
The solicitor and the barrister presented Martha the preparations for next actions.

We thank very much Martha’s current (new) solicitor Frank Gearty.
We thank very much Martha’s ne barrister.

“Nobody has to do the sentence with me…”

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Lately Martha doesn’t even check whether someone is booked for visit or not.
Will anyone of her friends will come or not?
She doesn’t check, she doesn’t wait.
Does this mean that she accepted staying in prison?
Absolutely not.
She knows, she’s imprisoned wrongly.
She’s very active and she supports her family in the fight for her freedom.

Recently, one of her friends, that come visit her regularly, left for a short period of time.
Other friends couldn’t come to visit Martha also.
As a result, no one came to Martha for some time.
The family asked Martha how she handles herself.
Martha said, that she “undersands, that everyone has their families and their businesses. Nobody has to do the sentence with me…”
That’s why she stopped checking if someone comes. She stopped looking forward.
The visit of every person, who wishes to spend one’s time and money, to get to Martha. To get to Martha from different places in Ireland (not only from Dublin).
Every such visit becomes very nice and very pleasant surprise for Martha.

Martha is grateful for every such visit, and she thanks everyone from the heart.
She doesn’t look forward, she doesn’t force.
She understands.
She’s grateful, and she thanks…

Martha watches all reports on pope Francis visit in Ireland

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Martha has a small TV set in her cell.
It has 7 or 8 channels.
One channel is in Irish, others are in English language.

On Saturday and Sunday Martha watched all the TV coverages broadcasted in Irish television, regarding visit of Pope Francis in Ireland.
Martha watched it from the morning until late.
She remembered that during his speech in Knock, at 10:50 a.m. Pope said that he prays for people in prisons and for the families.
Pope also thanked for the letters and asked for a prayer.
Martha also prays for the Pope.

Additionaly whole Dublin was blocked due to Pope’s visit.
Martha heard a helicopter flying over the prison.
Martha didn’t know if there will be visits at all. Just in case, she asked her friends to not to come to her on Saturday and Sunday.
They would have problems with getting to prison.

Martha spent Saturday and Sunday on watching everything that was broadcasted in Irish TV. Everything that regarded Pope Francis’ visit in Ireland.
Historical, difficult visit… meetinfgs… speeches…