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10/10/2002
Prison staff concerned over possible IRA threat
The head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has spoken out on the "fear and uncertainty" amongst his staff following the news that their personal details may be in the hands of the IRA.
Prison service director Peter Russell made his concern known after it was revealed that around 2,000 names, addresses and telephone numbers of officers are thought to be in the hands of republicans following police raids on Sinn Fein offices last week.
A special police unit has been set up to warn those whose names appear on a list.
It is understood that officers in a new police unit set up to deal with the possible threat are working closely with the prison service.
However, Mr Russell said that a definitive statement from the IRA saying his staff were not under threat would help minimise the current climate of fear.
He added: "There is great anxiety amongst our staff for their own and their family’s personal safety.
"We are in close contact with the PSNI and they are certainly aware of the fear and uncertainty amongst our staff. I am sure they are doing all they can to notify staff, whose names may have appeared on the files that have been recovered, as quickly as possible."
Mr Russell said that the Prison Service was doing all it could to keep staff informed regarding the information provided by police but urged all employees, past and present, to be extra vigilant.
(MB)
Prison service director Peter Russell made his concern known after it was revealed that around 2,000 names, addresses and telephone numbers of officers are thought to be in the hands of republicans following police raids on Sinn Fein offices last week.
A special police unit has been set up to warn those whose names appear on a list.
It is understood that officers in a new police unit set up to deal with the possible threat are working closely with the prison service.
However, Mr Russell said that a definitive statement from the IRA saying his staff were not under threat would help minimise the current climate of fear.
He added: "There is great anxiety amongst our staff for their own and their family’s personal safety.
"We are in close contact with the PSNI and they are certainly aware of the fear and uncertainty amongst our staff. I am sure they are doing all they can to notify staff, whose names may have appeared on the files that have been recovered, as quickly as possible."
Mr Russell said that the Prison Service was doing all it could to keep staff informed regarding the information provided by police but urged all employees, past and present, to be extra vigilant.
(MB)
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