Security alert at Maghaberry prison

A security alert was launched at a prison in the North after dissident republicans barricaded themselves into a dining room.

A suspicious object was thrown from the room at Maghaberry, Co Antrim, after between 20 and 30 inmates gathered there this morning.

A Prison Service spokesman confirmed visits had been suspended because of the alert.

"The incident arose after a number of separated republican prisoners barricaded themselves into the dining room of Roe House following mass on Easter Sunday morning," a spokesman added.

“An ATO (Army Technical Officer) has been tasked after a suspicious item was found on a corridor outside the dining room.”