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
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/
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…
On Tuesday, August 13, Martha was scheduled with new medical examination in a hospital nearby.
Martha had consulted her family in Poland.
Medical examination and proper treatment are certainly needed for Martha. Both Martha and her family see that.
But after consulting the family, Martha decided: NOT in Ireland.
On Monday, August 12, Martha went to the nurse in prison, and told her about the decision. With respect, politely, but firmly, she refused for the possibility to pass proper medical examination.
The nurse had written Martha’s statement (in English) about refusing all medical examinations in Ireland.
Martha signed the statement.
Tuesday, August 13, passed quietly for Martha.
July 28. 2016, Martha Herda appears by herself in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin
A few minutes before the noon, she heard a sentence: lifetime imprisonment.
One would say: “Only in Ireland” – to come for the trial on one’s own recognizance and be imprisoned for the rest of life. In this young girls case – for all of her life.
Yes – “Only in Ireland”
The jury, which couldn’t reach a consensus for few days. Suddenly, “miraculously”, unexpectedly, in the last moment, issues almost unanimous verdict, 11:1.
Coincidence?
We say again: “Only in Ireland”.
Today, after 3 years since that day, sometimes we ask ourselves: “Where the verdict set in the case of Martha Herda really come up?” “And when did the verdict in the case of Martha Herda really come up?”
Are we entitled to such questions?
Maybe time will provide answers and proofs for those questions.
Where do the verdicts in Ireland do come up?
“Only in Ireland”?
And what is now, after 3 years?
The girl, who needs specialized psychological assistance, who is struggling with traumatic memories, who was burdened with responsibility also for the behavior of the passenger of her car.
Instead of receiving such help, she was considered a person, who needs to be isolated from the “healthy”, “normal” society.
One would like to ask “WHO is “healthy” and “normal” here”?
Yes, such things happen only in Ireland.
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…
A top detective has revealed that when the mother of Csaba Orsos heard that her son’s killer had been found guilty, she said: “A stone has been lifted from my heart”.
