Campaign for imprisoned ex-soldier is ramped up
A GROUP of six British ex-military pirate hunters continue to languish in an Indian prison.
Yvonne MacHugh, 28, the fiancée of Campbeltown-educated ex-paratrooper, Billy Irving, 37, has been relentless in her campaign to secure his release and that of the 29 men, from three other countries, whom the campaign says are innocent.
The men are 19 months into a fiveyear sentence handed down by an Indi- an court in 2016. As the fourth anniversary of Mr Irving’s Indian nightmare approaches, from when the men were arrested, on the American ship Seaman Guard Ohio, in Indian territorial waters, Ms McHugh and the Chennai Six campaigners are increasing pressure to find a diplomatic solution.
On October 12, Billy’s two-year-old son William will hand a petition in at Downing Street although Miss MacHugh is sceptical about the government’s efforts to help the prisoners.
Last Friday, the first in a series of videos was posted on social media attempting to explain the families’ perspective on their loved ones’ incarceration.
Speaking exclusively to the Courier, Ms MacHugh said: ‘Billy is off hunger strike as the prison made some concessions but things are going back to the way they were.’
She added that despite Boris Johnson and Theresa May raising the issue with the Indian prime minister, it seemed to be all chat and nothing had changed.
In nine days, on September 11, a major conference will be held, when London hosts its International Shipping Week (LISW17).
More than 160 industry functions bring together regulators, charterers, ship owners, ship managers, bunker suppliers, lawyers, ship brokers, bankers, insurers, commodity traders and shipping service providers.
Ms MacHugh said: ‘We have spoken to LISW17 conference organisers and they have agreed to play the videos at all conferences.
‘This is important because the shipping community truly understands the importance of protection from pirates, which is what the men were doing.’
It is not easy being what Ms MacHugh describes as a 24/7 campaigner, bringing up her young son and holding down a parttime job.
‘My three days a week working at Boots in Paisley are like a release from the pressure of constantly being on the phone and attending to all the inquiries,’ added Ms MacHugh.
‘As I speak to you on the phone it is supposed to be time with William.
‘India has a seven-hour time difference which affects when calls can be made.’
In the background, William, realising his mum was on the phone, said: ‘Is that Daddy?’
Ms MacHugh added: ‘The 12 Indians who were jailed are held in a different prison to the British men and treated differently. Indian prisoners, in Billy’s jail, serving life are let out sometimes for up to a week at a time to go to family events such as weddings.’