Loyalists may revolt in Maghaberry prison scheme

Loyalist paramilitary prisoners could revolt inside a Northern Ireland jail at the centre of a separation scheme, their representatives warned today.

The Ulster Political Research Group hit out at a new contract inmates at Maghaberry Prison must sign before they can be kept apart.

Spokesman Tommy Kirkham claimed the proposals, which involve a more restricted regime, could provoke violent confrontation and threatened more protests.

He said: “The whole document degrades and dehumanises prisoners just to appease prison officers and sceptics who see separation as a step towards political status.

“The prisoners have given us some time for negotiations but if these fail they could take the matter into their own hands. I don’t even want to contemplate the consequences.”

The British government has agreed to split loyalists and republicans because of safety fears at Maghaberry, near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

Republicans had staged dirty protests in their cells in a bid to be segregated while loyalists were blamed for bomb and gun attacks on warders’ homes as tensions heightened.

Two blocks at Maghaberry, where Ulster Defence Association terror boss Johnny “Mad Dog” Adair is held, have been transformed with extra security.

Loyalists and republicans who agree to the new arrangements will be taken to the buildings once the scheme starts in February.

A Northern Ireland Prison Service spokesman said all sides had a right to give their views.

He said: “We are committed to publishing a list to those organisations that comment on these proposals and to making available to anyone who asks for it a copy of the comments and our response to them.”

But Mr Kirkham, whose organisation speaks for the UDA, insisted: “We cannot endorse a document that claims to be for consultation when we believe that it could lead to confrontation.

“After visiting prisoners this week UPRG members have appealed directly to the prisoners not to attempt to deal with the situation inside the prison but to leave it to us on the outside.

“We intend to have a lot more protests and the political parties on the loyalist side will be lobbied by our members to add their support to the issue.”