Republican prisoners attacked in jail

Two dissident republican prisoners have been brutally beaten by a gang of loyalists inside a top security Northern Ireland jail, it emerged tonight.

As Maghaberry Prison plunged deeper into crisis, the authorities denied claims that a gun was pulled during the assault which left one man with head gashes.

Police have been called in to probe the attack by seven men, which was carried out amid demands from paramilitaries on both sides to be segregated.

A Prison Service spokeswoman confirmed the beating took place at the Bann House wing of the Co Antrim jail early on Monday.

She said: “The two prisoners were assessed by health care staff. Both have sustained bruising and one was treated for a cut to his head.

“The prisoners suspected of carrying out the assault have been removed from the scene to a special supervision unit.”

It is understood five of the suspects are affiliated to loyalist paramilitaries.

The attack came as dissident republicans held at Maghaberry continued their so-called dirty protest, smearing excrement over cell walls in a bid to be kept apart from loyalists.

As tensions in the jail heightened, the British government set up a special review team to examine all safety issues.

But prison bosses have vowed not to bend to the segregation demands.

One of those beaten is believed to be a 27-year-old republican from Co Fermanagh who is serving a 14-year sentence for possession of a so-called barrack buster.

According to Marion Price of the Real IRA-linked Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association, the loyalists went into his cell and tried to strangle him.

“They beat him about the head with tins of food and then tried to shoot him but the gun jammed,” she claimed.

“Another prisoner ran to help him but he was then beaten too.

“It is a matter of grave urgency that a gun is in the hands of loyalist prisoners and they are prepared to use it.”

But the Prison Service spokeswoman denied any firearm was used.

She added: “People were interviewed and searches were carried out. There was no gun found.”