29/09/2017

Governor Of Maghaberry Dies After Short Illness

The Governor of Maghaberry, Stephen Davis, has died following a short illness.

The Head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS), Ronnie Armour, said over the past few months he had been battling his illness with "great courage and determination".

He said: "The Northern Ireland Prison Service was in Stephen Davis's DNA. He cared passionately about the organisation, his colleagues and those for who he was responsible. He was immensely proud to be Governor of Maghaberry and he served the entire community in Northern Ireland with professionalism and dedication throughout his career. Our Service is the poorer for his passing but the richer for his part in it.

"Of course Stephen was first and foremost a husband, father and a son. My thoughts and the thoughts of the entire Prison Service are with his wife, son and wider family circle at this very sad time."

Former Justice Minister David Ford said: "I got to know Steve Davis well during my time as Minister. He was involved in a range of different duties, in each of which he provided clear leadership and helped drive forward the reform programme of the Prison Service.

"Even during his illness he led the team at Maghaberry Prison with distinction and professionalism. He was a valued colleague to those working in prisons and the partner groups and cared deeply for those in custody for who he was responsible.

"His loss will be most keenly felt by his family and close friends. I extend to them all my deepest sympathy."

(CD/LM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 February 2024
Irish Govt Commits To Invest €800m In Northern Ireland
The announcement of an €800 million (£685m) investment in Northern Ireland by the Irish Government has been welcomed as a "significant contribution" by Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA.
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.
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.
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.
23 February 2009
Prison Suicide Report Gets Assembly Discussion
Sinn Féin MLA's Raymond McCartney and Martina Anderson will present a motion at the Stormont Assembly today calling for the full implementations of the recommendations of the report made by the Prison Ombudsman into the death of prisoner Colin Bell in Maghaberry Prison.