Amnesty International sent a Mission to Ireland in 1977 to investigate widespread allegations of the abuse of prisoners including, beatings, harsh conditions of incarceration, denial of access to solicitors, unfair trials in a juryless court and torture by a special police squad known as The Heavy Gang.
They issued their report to the Irish Government in March 1977. The Irish government released the report but censored its condemnation of the juryless Special Criminal Court.
Irish governments have steadfastly refused to hold an independent inquiry, despite the report.
By default, the Heavy Gang are immune from prosecution and all their legal costs are guaranteed by the State.
We reprint it below, verbatim.
*Text highlighted in red in the Report identifies references to Osgur Breatnach.
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