Majority of prison officers will not push to strike

THE majority of prison officers have no intention of pushing for strike action, prison officer sources claim.

They believe the reason for the rejection of a deal on overtime has been misrepresented and they are being targeted by Justice Minister Michael McDowell in the same way as he has attacked organised criminals and the IRA.

As tenders were invited to run prison escorts and the Curragh Prison closed for good yesterday, officers at grassroots level are preparing for a stormy annual general meeting next week.