12/11/2009
Maghaberry On Lock Down
One of Northern Ireland's largest high security jails has been placed on lock down.
All visits to Maghaberry have been suspended, while staff conduct extensive searches of prisoners' cells with help from police.
Governor Steve Rodford said the step was taken "in line with good management practice", adding every effort was being made to "keep disruption to a minimum". He said: "I hope to be in a position to return to normal regime levels as soon as is practically possible."
Some of the province's most notorious paramilitaries are detained at the prison.
Last month, the prison service denied Semtex had been found in the cells of republican inmates, despite traces of the explosive being discovered during swap tests.
This morning Mr Rodford added: "I have commissioned such searches in my previous career in England and see this as an integral element of managing a high security prison."
A PSNI spokesperson said that nothing had been found so far.
(PR/BMcC)
All visits to Maghaberry have been suspended, while staff conduct extensive searches of prisoners' cells with help from police.
Governor Steve Rodford said the step was taken "in line with good management practice", adding every effort was being made to "keep disruption to a minimum". He said: "I hope to be in a position to return to normal regime levels as soon as is practically possible."
Some of the province's most notorious paramilitaries are detained at the prison.
Last month, the prison service denied Semtex had been found in the cells of republican inmates, despite traces of the explosive being discovered during swap tests.
This morning Mr Rodford added: "I have commissioned such searches in my previous career in England and see this as an integral element of managing a high security prison."
A PSNI spokesperson said that nothing had been found so far.
(PR/BMcC)
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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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.