Suspected disease outbreak in prison

Prison authorities in the North were tonight investigating a possible outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease in a jail outside Derry.

Bacteria responsible for the disease was found in water in the healthcare unit of Magilligan Prison, the Prison Service confirmed.

The discovery was made after a terminally ill prisoner tested positive for the bacteria and died a week ago.

The prisoner had been treated in the health care centre and was later transferred to the Causeway Hospital on January 29, but died on February 8.

Six inmates, who were also in the health care centre have been relocated.