10/11/2025
Justice Minister Attends NI Prison Service Annual Memorial Service
Justice Minister Naomi Long today attended the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) Annual Memorial Service, held at the Memorial Garden at Hydebank Wood, to pay tribute to the officers who lost their lives while serving.
During the service, Minister Long laid the first wreath at the Memorial Stone, followed by Director General Beverley Wall, who laid a wreath on behalf of the NIPS.
Minister Long stated that the annual service allows the Prison Service family to "come together to remember those colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the people of Northern Ireland".
She added: "The passing of years has not dimmed our pride in those brave men and women. To the family, friends and former colleagues of those we gather to remember today, your loved one and the sacrifice they made will never be forgotten by the Northern Ireland Prison Service."
The service, conducted by Prison Service chaplains, included a two-minute silence, after which the names of the 32 Prison Service personnel who lost their lives were read out.
Wreaths were laid by various groups and individuals, including the High Sheriffs of Northern Ireland, representatives of bereaved widows, the Central Benevolent Fund, all Prison Service staff associations, and the Irish Prison Service.
During the service, Minister Long laid the first wreath at the Memorial Stone, followed by Director General Beverley Wall, who laid a wreath on behalf of the NIPS.
Minister Long stated that the annual service allows the Prison Service family to "come together to remember those colleagues who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the people of Northern Ireland".
The service, conducted by Prison Service chaplains, included a two-minute silence, after which the names of the 32 Prison Service personnel who lost their lives were read out.
Wreaths were laid by various groups and individuals, including the High Sheriffs of Northern Ireland, representatives of bereaved widows, the Central Benevolent Fund, all Prison Service staff associations, and the Irish Prison Service.
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Northern Ireland prisoners have won two first prizes and landed more than 29 awards in a prestigious UK-wide competition for prison arts. Artwork from Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood was among 150 original visual pieces on display at the annual Koestler Awards Exhibition which previewed at the Royal Festival Hall in London today.
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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.