THE family of a young man who took his own life in Maghaberry Prison are to hold a protest outside the jail tomorrow in a bid to highlight issues of mental health within the Co Antrim facility.
Father-of-two Daniel McConville (22) from Lurgan died while in custody on August 30 last year. He had been due to appear in court charged with possession of cannabis resin the day after he died.
His father Paul last night said: "Daniel's not the first and he won't be the last if things aren't changed."
Mr McConville said he had organised a prayer gathering and peaceful protest outside the prison in memory of his son and all "others who have died in this prison and to highlight issues regarding mental health and suicide within Maghaberry".
He said his son was "a lovable young boy" but had learning difficulties and suffered from ADHD from the age of seven.
"He had turbulent young years, problems with prescription medication and battled against great difficulties as a young man with mental health issues," he said.
"He was arrested for possession of cannabis and sent to Maghaberry prison. He committed suicide there on 30 August 2018. He was just 22-years-old.
"He is now a statistic, one of many people who have committed suicide at HMP Maghaberry in recent years, but he is more than a statistic to us - he was a beloved son, brother and father of two young children.
"He was funny, warm, outgoing and his passing has left a hole in our hearts."
Mr McConville said "we believe the suicide toll since 2007 at HMP Maghaberry now stands at 22 people".
"It is a sad indictment on our society that the way we deal with our people with mental health issues is to wait until they break the law and then throw them in prison," he said.
"Statistics for 2016 indicated that of the 1,533 members of the NI prison population, 417 were recorded as having mental health issues.
"That means over a quarter of our prison population, but there is no specialist mental health unit within the prison.
"An immediate review of vulnerable people in custody was launched by the Justice and Health Ministers back in 2016 but seems to have stalled due to the current political impasse.
"People have died as a result. We want action on this now and you can help us."
The protest at Maghaberry Prison will take place tomorrow from 2pm to 4pm.
