Ford Faces Maghaberry Prison Problems

There are fresh problems over prison conditions at Co Antrim's Maghaberry gaol.

The Stormont Justice Minister David Ford has been warned by the DUP 'not to give in to dissident republican demands' for Maghaberry prisoners to be given political status, while the Sinn Fein Vice-Chair of the Assembly Justice Committee, Raymond McCartney MLA (Foyle) has called for a prior 'agreement reached between prisoners and the Prison administration to be implemented in full as a matter of urgency'.

"There are continuing concerns about the treatment of prisoners being held in Maghaberry with allegations of prisoners being mistreated by prison staff," said the former republican prisoner.

"Carál Ní Chuilín and myself have met with senior prison management on numerous occasions to outline our ongoing concerns about the situation in Roe House and in relation to the prison system overall.

"During that process an agreement was reached between the prisoners and the administration. This agreement needs to be implemented in full as a matter of urgency," he said.

"I will be pressing the administration and the Justice Minister on the mater to ensure that this is done."

On Saturday dissident republican supporters protested outside the prison and a 'dirty protest' is continuing inside the jail.

But DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson said: "They are demanding free association within the prison which is tantamount to special category status, similar to what would have been happening in the old Maze Prison.

"We're absolutely clear that David Ford must resist these threats of violence from dissidents seeking concessions."

Searches

In May this year, republican inmates at Maghaberry wrecked their cells and began hurling defecation onto the prison's landings.

The protest came after a judge ruled that full body searches of prisoners at Maghaberry was lawful.

But a spokesman for the inmates in question - the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, considered to be the political wing of the Real IRA - said the action was being taken after an alleged deal was reneged on by the prison administration.

Sinn Fein Assembly member Caral Ni Chuilan has since called on the Justice Minister to intervene as a matter of urgency in the ongoing situation and reiterated that a prior deal has been reneged on.

Speaking last month, Ms Ni Chuilan commented: "In August last year after lengthy negotiations an agreement on the future management of Roe House was reached between the prisoners, the administration and the Department of Justice.

"It is clear that the prisoners in Roe House believe that the terms of that agreement have not been honoured.

See: Real IRA Prisoner's Resume 'Dirty' Protest

(BMcC/KMcA)