Candlelight vigil held in support of the Free Tony Taylor Campaign

A candlelight vigil was held in Derry’s Guildhall Square tonight in support of a local republican prisoner who is currently being held in custody in Maghaberry Prison.

Tony Taylor, a prominent member of the Republican Network for Unity group in the city, is preparing to spend Christmas “behind bars” after he was returned to prison in March after his early release licence was suspended by the then British Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.

He was sentenced to 18 years in jail in 1994 after being injured in a premature explosion in Derry.

He was released under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

In 2011 he was jailed for three years for possession of a rifle.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) said his licence was revoked by the Parole Commission because of the risk he posed to the public.

Among those who spoke at tonight’s vigil were Mr Taylor’s wife, Lorraine, and well-known community worker, Tommy McCourt.

The event was organised by the Free Tony Taylor Campaign group.

A spokesperson for the group again called on those “in positions of influence,” politicians, civic leaders and the clergy to publicly demand the immediate release of Mr Taylor.

The spokesperson added: “As we approach Christmas we are calling on people to remember those who have been forcibly removed from their families.

“By the end of this month and as people gather to bring in the New Year, Tony Taylor will have spent nearly 300 days incarcerated in Maghaberry Prison.

“Tony has faced no charges, has not been taken to trial and as such has not been given any opportunity to challenge his detention.

“This is the face of justice in 2016, a fallacy that will continue into 2017 and beyond unless this and similar practices are challenged at every opportunity.

“The current British Secretary of State James Brokenshire has recently alluded to plans to deal with ‘Legacy issues.

“What must be asked of Mr. Brokenshire is how can this happen when unjust and draconian practices of the past continue today.

“Many people consider the detention of Tony Taylor as internment without trial no matter what name his administration put on it and the fact that people are still being detained in the absence of due process makes this difficult to dispute.

Photo shows local community worker Tommy McCourt speaking at tonight’s candlelight vigil.