Northern Ireland

Republicans protest at Maghaberry Prison

Former republican prisoner and Saoradh member Stephen Murney speaks at Thursday night's protest outside Maghaberry Prison
Former republican prisoner and Saoradh member Stephen Murney speaks at Thursday night's protest outside Maghaberry Prison Former republican prisoner and Saoradh member Stephen Murney speaks at Thursday night's protest outside Maghaberry Prison

REPUBLICANS held a protest outside Maghaberry Prison last night after inmates and staff clashed earlier this week.

Trouble flared after several prisoners were taken to the jail’s punishment block following an incident on Tuesday afternoon.

Prison authorities have described the clash as an “altercation” while republicans say it was a “brutal and vicious confrontation”.

Last night’s protest was organised by the Irish Republican Prisoner Welfare Association and Saoradh.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said that the removed prisoners were later returned to Roe House.

The spokesman said there were no injuries.

Tensions between inmates and staff in Maghaberry Prison have boiled over in the past.

Republicans have accused prison authorities of reneging on a deal reached in 2010 to relax strip searches and controlled movement.

Since 2012 two prison officers David Black and Adrian Ismay have been killed by the ‘IRA’.