NI prisoners hold rooftop protest

A group of prisoners were staging a rooftop protest at Maghaberry jail in Northern Ireland tonight.

It is believed the protest involved republican and loyalist prisoners angry at conditions at the Co Antrim high security jail.

A handful of inmates climbed on to the roof and it was understood other prisoners took over a yard within the complex.

British army bomb experts were dealing with a suspect device and four fire engines were also at the scene.

A group of loyalists arrived at the jail by car and were standing outside waving flags in support of those inside.

Finlay Spratt, of thePrison Officers Association, said they warned management two weeks ago that trouble could break out because of staff cuts and the large prison intake.

“We as prison officers who have quite an experience of dealing with prisoners in the Northern Ireland Prison Service have been continually saying to management that their policy of doubling these prisoners up was actually going to lead to what is happening tonight.”