Dissidents 'responsible for Maghaberry jail fires'

Republican dissidents campaigning for segregation from loyalists inside Maghaberry jail are believed to have been responsible for starting small fires in the prison last night.

Fire crews dealt with the fires at the high-security jail in Co Antrim.

This time last week eight prisoners climbed onto the roof of one block in the jail to protest at being doubled up in cells intended for one prisoner only.

During the week, 30 dissident republican protesters forced their way into the prisons department at Stormont to demand segregation, allegedly gaining access to confidential files.

Last night the campaign went further with small fires set alight in a dining room and one of the wings of the prison.

A number of fire engines were called to the jail but no-one was hurt.

Finlay Spratt of the Prison Officers Association said he was not surprised and accused the authorities of adopting a lackadaisical attitude.