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10/10/2012
Prisoners Treated To Knife-Crime Play
Female prisoners in Northern Ireland have been given the opportunity to watch a play about knife-crime at Belfast's Hydebank Prison.
The prisoners who were treated to the professional performance of The Long Road, produced by Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, included double murderer Hazel Stewart.
Hazel Stewart was found guilty of killing her former husband and her ex-lover’s wife and was given an 18-year sentence for the murders.
Her former lover and accomplice Colin Howell was given 21 years.
The case had originally concluded that the two victims had died as part of a suicide pact, however after 18 years of secrecy, former dentist Howell confessed and implicated Stewart, who denied any guilt.
The play was written by English playwright Shelagh Stephenson and follows the story of a fatal stabbing by a young woman under the influence of drugs.
Around 40 women are currently incarcerated in Belfast’s Hydebank Prison, including Julie McGinley who was jailed for a minimum of 15 years in 2003 for murdering her husband Gerry.
The prison also holds Karen Walsh, the Galway-born former pharmacist who was found guilty last year of the murder of her elderly neighbour Maire Rankin on Christmas morning in 2008.
Next week the production will return to perform in front of young male offenders at Hydebank.
The Long Road is currently running at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast until October 21.
(IT/GK)
The prisoners who were treated to the professional performance of The Long Road, produced by Belfast’s Lyric Theatre, included double murderer Hazel Stewart.
Hazel Stewart was found guilty of killing her former husband and her ex-lover’s wife and was given an 18-year sentence for the murders.
Her former lover and accomplice Colin Howell was given 21 years.
The case had originally concluded that the two victims had died as part of a suicide pact, however after 18 years of secrecy, former dentist Howell confessed and implicated Stewart, who denied any guilt.
The play was written by English playwright Shelagh Stephenson and follows the story of a fatal stabbing by a young woman under the influence of drugs.
Around 40 women are currently incarcerated in Belfast’s Hydebank Prison, including Julie McGinley who was jailed for a minimum of 15 years in 2003 for murdering her husband Gerry.
The prison also holds Karen Walsh, the Galway-born former pharmacist who was found guilty last year of the murder of her elderly neighbour Maire Rankin on Christmas morning in 2008.
Next week the production will return to perform in front of young male offenders at Hydebank.
The Long Road is currently running at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast until October 21.
(IT/GK)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
