Campaigners turn up the heat in bid to secure Billy’s release
CAMPAIGNERS fighting to have the six British ex-military pirate hunters released from an Indian prison have posted the first in a series of videos on social media in a bid to explain the families’ perspective on their loved ones’ incarceration.
The move comes as the fourth anniversary of Billy Irving’s imprisonment approaches.
Yvonne MacHugh, 28, the fiancée of ex-paratrooper, Billy Irving, 37, from Connel, 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 five-year sentence handed down by an Indian court in 2016 following their arrest while guarding the American ship Seaman Guard Ohio.
As part of their bid to find a diplomatic solution, on October 12, Billy’s two-year-old son William will hand a petition in at Downing Street although Yvonne is sceptical about the government’s efforts to help the prisoners.
She 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 Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Prime Minister Theresa May raising the issue with the Indian prime minister, it seemed to be all chat and nothing had changed.
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.
Yvonne 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 Yvonne describes as a 24/7 campaigner, bringing up her young son and holding down a part-time job.
She continued: ‘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.
‘As I speak to you on the phone it is supposed to be time with William. He is amazing and the happiest little boy in the world but he is very aware of his dad.
‘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?’
If Billy is still in prison at Christmas it will be his third in jail and fifth since being arrested.
Yvonne 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.
‘It would be a miracle if the British men get any remission in their five-year sentence.’
The videos can be viewed at: www.facebook.com/thechennai6