Northern Ireland

Prison Service apologises to solicitor who was told to remove fáinne

Solicitor Jim McGinnis was refused entry to Maghaberry Jail because he was wearing a fáinne. Picture by Mal McCann.
Solicitor Jim McGinnis was refused entry to Maghaberry Jail because he was wearing a fáinne. Picture by Mal McCann. Solicitor Jim McGinnis was refused entry to Maghaberry Jail because he was wearing a fáinne. Picture by Mal McCann.

A HUMAN rights laywer has received an apology from the Prison Service after he was blocked from entering Maghaberry Prison because he would not remove a fàinne.

Jim McGinnis was told to remove the lapel badge - which is worn by Irish language speakers - while going through security searches at the Co Antrim jail earlier this week.

He and colleague Aiden Carlin were visiting the prison to meet with two clients when he was challenged over the Irish language symbol.

It is understood one of the men he was due to meet is facing extradition to Hungary while the other was being held in the prison's punishment block.

Mr McGinnis explained to the prison officer who stopped him that he had worn the fáinne during previous visits to Maghaberry and other prisons.

The solicitor said that after refusing to remove the symbol from his lapel he was forced to leave the prison during the incident on Tuesday.

“Having refused to remove the fáinne óir I returned to the office and we initiated Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court to obtain a declaration that the decision of the prison service was unlawful, unreasonable and discriminatory,” he said.

Later on Tuesday Prison Service chiefs apologised to the solicitor in writing.

Mr McGinnis acknowledged the Prison Service response.

“We accept that they acknowledged that this should not have happened and they got it wrong and we reckon that this is probably one of the fastest apologies they ever got out," he said.

“It should not have happened and you have to remember we were going in to consult with two clients, both of whom were in need of our assistance.”

In a statement to the Irish News a spokeswoman for the Prison Service said: “This should not have happened and the Prison Service has offered an unreserved apology to Mr McGinnis.”

It is understood that prison staff were also addressed by a governor and told that anyone wearing a fáinne should be permitted access.

Earlier this year legal action was launched against the Prison Service over delays in appointing an Irish language teacher for inmates at Maghaberry.

It was revealed last month that a new teacher is due to be appointed.