'Fast track' pledge for prison officers' security cash claims

Applications for cash to pay for new security measures for prison officers in Northern Ireland who fear for their lives are to be rushed through, the authorities pledged today.

A major review of risk assessment is under way after the names and addresses of up to 1,400 staff were found on documents seized when police raided the home of republicans in Belfast last month.

Some visits to the top security Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim were cancelled today because of protests by warders outside the jail gates.

They claimed the prison service was not doing enough to help to meet urgent re-settlement costs.

There were protests as well at Magilligan, Co Derry.

Finlay Spratt, chairman of the Prison Officers’ Association, said: “This is all about management’s inability to deal with a crisis and the totally inadequate security measures they are offering.”

Some officers are looking to move to new homes because of the fears of the threat which has been linked to the IRA.

But the authorities insisted they were doing everything possible and had reached agreement with police to streamline applications in advance of installing security measures.

A spokesman said: “Staff can expect their applications to be processed in around one week as opposed to the normal six weeks.”