Menu
07/04/2010
'No Lock Down' At Maghaberry
An official denial has followed allegations that a 'lock-down' followed inmate protests in a major NI prison.
A group of republican inmates barricaded themselves into a dining hall and were forcibly removed by prison officers on Monday night.
No one was injured in the hour-long operation to end the two-day protest by 28 prisoners at Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.
The inmates had blocked the doors of the room on Easter Sunday, the day republicans traditionally commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin against British rule.
Yesterday, the prison service said that inmates are not subject to 23-hour lock-up, despite claims made by dissident republicans after the protest ended.
A group linked to the Continuity IRA said the protest was over prison conditions, including lock-downs.
However, in a statement the prison service said inmates were "cared for in a safe and humane manner".
"The prison service strongly refutes claims that prisoners are subject to a 23-hour lock-up - this is not the case," it added.
The prisoners who took part in the incident were 16 Continuity IRA members, 10 Real IRA and two INLA.
On Tuesday, Republican Sinn Fein, which is linked to the Continuity IRA, said the prisoners were protesting over lock-downs, the use of sniffer dogs for searching visitors and prisoners not being allowed to wear Easter lilies.
The prison service said prisoners are allowed to wear the lily - a symbol of the 1916 Easter Rising - in their cells but not in communal areas of the prison.
"This policy has been judicially reviewed on several occasions and each time the judiciary have found in favour of the prison service," it said.
The service added that those prisoners who barricaded themselves into the dining room could face charges under prison rules.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Caral Ní Chuilín has called on the prison authorities to treat Republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison with respect and dignity.
"Regardless of why anyone is in prison they are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. It is clear that the regime in place for republican prisoners in Maghaberry falls well short of this," she said.
"Prisoners should not be held in 23-hour lock up, they should not have been denied the right to wear Easter Lillies and the decision to remove 28 men to the punishment blocks as a result of the weekends protest is wrong and counterproductive," adding that the Prison Service has to date escaped widespread scrutiny and much needed reform.
"This needs to be a priority for a new Justice Minister," she said.
(BMcC/GK)
A group of republican inmates barricaded themselves into a dining hall and were forcibly removed by prison officers on Monday night.
No one was injured in the hour-long operation to end the two-day protest by 28 prisoners at Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.
The inmates had blocked the doors of the room on Easter Sunday, the day republicans traditionally commemorate the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin against British rule.
Yesterday, the prison service said that inmates are not subject to 23-hour lock-up, despite claims made by dissident republicans after the protest ended.
A group linked to the Continuity IRA said the protest was over prison conditions, including lock-downs.
However, in a statement the prison service said inmates were "cared for in a safe and humane manner".
"The prison service strongly refutes claims that prisoners are subject to a 23-hour lock-up - this is not the case," it added.
The prisoners who took part in the incident were 16 Continuity IRA members, 10 Real IRA and two INLA.
On Tuesday, Republican Sinn Fein, which is linked to the Continuity IRA, said the prisoners were protesting over lock-downs, the use of sniffer dogs for searching visitors and prisoners not being allowed to wear Easter lilies.
The prison service said prisoners are allowed to wear the lily - a symbol of the 1916 Easter Rising - in their cells but not in communal areas of the prison.
"This policy has been judicially reviewed on several occasions and each time the judiciary have found in favour of the prison service," it said.
The service added that those prisoners who barricaded themselves into the dining room could face charges under prison rules.
Sinn Féin Assembly member Caral Ní Chuilín has called on the prison authorities to treat Republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison with respect and dignity.
"Regardless of why anyone is in prison they are entitled to be treated with respect and dignity. It is clear that the regime in place for republican prisoners in Maghaberry falls well short of this," she said.
"Prisoners should not be held in 23-hour lock up, they should not have been denied the right to wear Easter Lillies and the decision to remove 28 men to the punishment blocks as a result of the weekends protest is wrong and counterproductive," adding that the Prison Service has to date escaped widespread scrutiny and much needed reform.
"This needs to be a priority for a new Justice Minister," she said.
(BMcC/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 March 2017
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
05 November 2021
Justice Minister Attends NIPS Memorial Service
Justice Minister Naomi Long has attended the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) Annual Memorial Service to remember officers who lost their lives in the course of duty. Minister Long said: "The annual Memorial Service is an important occasion for everyone associated with the Prison Service.
Justice Minister Attends NIPS Memorial Service
Justice Minister Naomi Long has attended the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) Annual Memorial Service to remember officers who lost their lives in the course of duty. Minister Long said: "The annual Memorial Service is an important occasion for everyone associated with the Prison Service.
31 August 2021
53-Year-Old Dies In Custody At Maghaberry Prison
A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
53-Year-Old Dies In Custody At Maghaberry Prison
A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
31 August 2018
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
14 September 2016
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
