FORMER Beirut hostage Brian Keenan has visited a Co Derry prison to speak with prisoners about his experiences in the Middle East and his life since his ordeal.
The Belfast native was the guest speaker at the presentation of creative writing awards to prisoners in Magilligan Prison.
Mr Keenan was captured by terror group Islamic Jihad in Lebanon in 1986 and spent more than four years in a concrete cell, often in solitary confinement, blind-folded, interrogated, chained half-naked and beaten by his captors.
Welcoming Mr Keenan to Magilligan Ronnie Armour, director general of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said: "Brian’s philosophical outlook on life is truly inspiring and especially so after an inconceivable four-and-a-half year kidnapping ordeal.
"He has spoken about surviving the odds and finding peace of mind in surprising places, and his words will have given great hope and encouragement to the men in our care.
"This is all about building self-esteem in prisoners, supporting and challenging them to change which in turn will help reduce re-offending and ultimately make our community a safer place to live."
Dr Damian O’Kane, head of Education at the Magilligan campus of North West Regional College, said it was "fitting that Brian Keenan, who is a truly inspirational figure and a strong advocate of the power of education to transform lives, has shared his life experiences with our students and thereby encouraging them to continue on their educational journey".
