Report hits out at Maghaberry segregation

A scathing Northern Ireland Affairs Committee report has hit out at the Government for separating paramilitary prisoners at a County Antrim jail.

The report, which looked at the segregation of loyalist and republican prisoners at Maghaberry jail near Lisburn, said the decision "was demanded by dissidents for political reasons and acceded to by the Government for (other) political reasons".

Michael Mates, chairman of the parliamentary Committee, immediately called on the government to study the prison estate to see if a third adult prison could be created.

He said the government would have to accept full responsibility for the implementation of separation and the additional demands it would place on Prison Service resources.

Security Minister, Jane Kennedy said the report illustrated the complexities of all the issues involved but conceded that the Government would consider the Committee's recommendations in detail and respond in due course.

Both republicans and loyalists hit out at last year's decision to segregate prisoners at Maghaberry.

In protest republicans smeared excrement on their cell walls while loyalists attacked the homes of prison officers in and around Belfast.

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