Prison chiefs accused over 24-hour lock-up
Prison chiefs were today accused of breaking a pledge by putting loyalist inmates on 24-hour lock-up at a Northern Ireland jail.
Tommy Kirkham, a councillor with the paramilitary-linked Ulster Political Research Group, claimed dissident republicans who staged a dirty protest to be segregated at the top-security Maghaberry complex have received better treatment.
With paramilitary prisoners now being kept apart amid security fears, Mr Kirkham hit out at a decision to keep six Ulster Volunteer Force inmates at the Co Antrim jail in their cell around the clock.
A Prison Service spokesman insisted the action was taken because the prisoners tried to take over a wing at Maghaberry.
But Mr Kirkham alleged they were locked up with basic toilet and washing facilities after resisting sudden attempts to switch them to Magilligan jail in Co Derry.
He said: “All this is happening while republicans enjoy all the luxuries of better facilities, when, in fact, it was them who began the intimidation and the threats and who also carried on a dirty protest.
“We in the UPRG were given assurances that loyalists would not suffer over the actions of republicans.
“Why have they gone back on their word?”
Mr Kirkham also warned prison bosses they could provoke fresh action.
“If this situation is not resolved quickly then it will lead to more protests, as loyalists will not be denied basic human rights.”
But a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Prison Service insisted the inmates had brought the action on themselves.
With a British government review of safety at Maghaberry recommending segregation of loyalists and republicans, changes have to be carried out to the complex.
Prisoners were to be taken to Magilligan as a temporary measure so alterations could be made, the spokesman explained.
He said: “We are moving the prisoners around the system to free up accommodation we need to do physical work.
“But loyalists tried to take over the cell. After an incident like that all the prisoners were locked down.
“We are carrying out searches of accommodation to ensure that they don’t have anything they shouldn’t have. They will remain behind locked doors until this is completed.”
