How the audacious escape was done
First interview with Liam Averill
On Wednesday 10 December Republican POW Liam Averill
made a daring and ingenious escape from Long Kesh when
he walked out of the top security prison dressed as a
woman. This week he talks exclusively with An Phoblacht
about how the operation was carried out.
Phoblacht: Well Liam, first let us join with all the
others in wishing you all the best for `98. Obviously
you are adjusting to your freedom and getting used to
being away from a prison regime?
Liam: Yes, thanks. I know my comrades would gladly swap
places with me right now, but as every POW knows, it's
our duty to escape and I am keeping my fingers crossed
and saving a few bob for the next one, or two who might
join me.
But to be serious, I am obviously delighted that our
plan worked so well. As with every operation, inside or
out, a lot of people contribute to its success but
never get the credit, so to those who know, go raibh
maith agaibh.
Phoblacht: How did you react when you found out that
an escape was in the offing?
Liam: My first reaction was surprise. While republicans
seek every possibility to escape, there are schemes
that are feasible and stand a good chance of success,
and those that don't. This particular one I was told
had a good possibility [of succeeding]. It was
unbelievable, especially coming within months of the
tunnel. We had worked hard on that and it was just bad
luck that it was caught. Unfortunately, we couldn't
control the weather.
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Every republican escape, such as the big one in 1983,
sends the message to the Brits that it is impossible to
imprison an ideal, or the political will to be free,
whether it's Brixton or Whitemoor in England, or Long
Kesh
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AP: Moving back to your escape, can you disclose any
details for our readers on how it went and how you were
feeling?
Liam: It was shortly before the actual escape that I
was approached by a member of the camp staff, who said,
`This is not a mix [practical joke], but are you still
on for ealu [escape]?'.
I just remember saying `Yes'. I was then told that a
successful bid could be made through the Christmas
parties for prisoners' children and that I would have
nothing to do by way of preparation, all necessary
material would be provided.
I went to a party on Monday the 8th, had a look at any
problems which might arise and as there didn't appear
to be any, the plan was on.
I didn't feel nervous at that time but the night before
the next party, when I would make the escape bid, I
only slept for about 90 minutes. I used some of that
`sleepless in Seattle' time to shave my legs, a crucial
component of the operation!
AP: So what happened on the actual day of the escape?
Liam: Well, around 9.15am I left the Block and worked
in the tea room serving tea and hamburgers for most of
the day along with the other helpers at the Christmas
party. There was about 108 kids there, absolute bedlam,
but great craic. One worrying feature of the day though
was the appearance of a number of senior governors who
came into the party during the course of the day and
had a look around. This caused some initial concern,
but we pressed on. I was due to get ready at about
2.15pm, but delayed until 2.25 when I went to a
prearranged location and put on a wig and make-up. I
spent about 20 minutes with the make-up and felt
`transformed' in my new gender.
Going back in, I mingled with the crowd until 2.50pm
when the screws switched the lights off and on,
signalling it was time for visitors (and me!) to leave.
So I waited until the visitors were on their way to the
bus and joined in with them.
I went out through the first gate: three screws there,
two on the gate and one at the door of the bus. The two
on the gate hardly looked at me and the one at the bus
was distracted putting stuff on board. I climbed aboard
and sat halfway down. The screws came on and did four
counts, a bit of a delay. My first thoughts were,
`there's a problem', but no, the screw shouted `room
for five more'. More people came on the bus and it
drove off through four checks.
At the last check the screw counted a few times and I
thought the worst but the screw realised that a kid who
was messing about by hiding popped his head up as he
[the screw] came down the bus. The screw, now happy
with the count, let the bus go and before I knew it I
was in the car park. I felt so elated, it was
brilliant.
AP: What were your feelings, Liam? You were on your
own. Why bother taking the risk?
Liam: Well, besides being my duty as a POW to escape
there was - and still is - no sign of movement on the
prisoners issues. So there was no problem about me
taking my chance with this escape.
AP: What is morale like in the Blocks and how do the
POWs see things at present?
Liam: There is a feeling of frustration with the lack
of movement, but support for the efforts Sinn Féin are
making. There is maturity all round, that is very
clear, and the prisoners know we must not let our
opponents divide us. Division serves only our enemies.
I think prisoners have a shared experience; even when
the tunnel was accidentally discovered there was
elation in the camp at how far it had gone.
I know how big an effect this escape will have on
morale inside the prison and outside. Every republican
escape, such as the big one in 1983, sends the message
to the Brits that it is impossible to imprison an
ideal, or the political will to be free, whether it's
Brixton or Whitemoor in England, or Long Kesh.
d yes, I have heard the jokes about the requests on
the radio for me for the song, `Sometimes it's hard to
be a woman'.
British must focus on prisoners issue
Following the escape An Phoblacht received this
statement from the POWs in Long Kesh.
The successful escape of our comrade Liam `Arnie'
Averill from Long Kesh once again highlights the
ingenuity and discipline of republican POWs.
The British government and others must focus clearly on
the need to address the whole question of prisoners
meaningfully. The drip-feeding of minimal movement on
issues, most of them the subject of intense debate and
lobbying for years, does not in any way defuse the
tension and the feelings of frustration felt by us and
our families. It is against that background that the
freedom of our comrade Liam must be placed. There has
been a rush of condemnation and attack from the usual
predictable sources. The input of these same people to
the search for a resolution of the wider conflict -
never mind the issue of prisoners - has been negative
in the extreme.
Some mischievous and dangerous comments from prison
sources should not be allowed to dictate the situation.
Internal tensions and agendas within and between the
POA (Prison Officers Association), the prison
management and the NIO must not be manipulated to
create unnecessary conflict.
The comments of some loyalists serve only to expose
their own inadequacies and failures. We will not be
judged alongside their standards. Our record in
relation to compassionate issues speaks for itself.
In conclusion, we send New Year greetings to our
comrade Liam and to all of our families and friends. It
is their support and help which has been important and
crucial to us. We are determined and prepared to face
the time ahead with the same unity of purpose and
spirit of resistance which has been our strength down
through the years.
The Republican leadership has defended and represented
our interests and needs firmly and resolutely. We urge
them to continue with their efforts and we pledge our
continuing support to them.
Beirigi Bua
Republican POWs
Long Kesh.
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