Republican Women Prisoners

Ella O'Dwyer

Ella O'Dwyer aged 38 originates from Co Tipperary. She became actively involved in the Republican movement in the early 1980s by which time she had graduated with a degree from Dublin University. Ella was arrested along with a friend Martina Anderson, in Glasgow in 1985. The two were convicted of conspiring to cause explosions in England and were sentenced to life in prison. Ella and Martina spent 9 years in prisons in England before being transferred to Maghaberry prison where she continues to be held on temporary transfer. Their release date has been set at 2005. During her time in prison, Ella has completed a Masters Degree and is currently near completion of a PhD. She remains dedicated to the Republican movement and like her other women comrades, fully supports the efforts of the leadership of the movement to achieve lasting peace with justice on this island.