Future of former Maze prison site ‘very much a live issue’

Political leaders over decades have been unable to agree what to do with the derelict Maze prison site. Picture: Niall Carson/PA

The future of the former Maze prison site is “very much a live issue”, Stormont first minister Michelle O’Neill has said.

Political leaders have for decades failed to agree on the future of the derelict jail, which held republican prisoners, including the 10 men who died during the 1981-82 hunger strikes.

It officially closed in 2000, and while most of the buildings have been demolished, H block and the former hospital wing have been preserved.

Michelle O’Neill said she has not ‘given up’ on finding an agreement over what should be done with the former prison (Brian Lawless/PA)

While some development has taken place on the wider 347-acre site near Lisburn, including the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society becoming an anchor tenant and moving the annual Balmoral Show to the venue, there has been no agreement on a full regeneration plan.

Speaking during questions for the executive office in the Assembly on Monday, Ms O’Neill said she “hasn’t given up” on finding agreement.

In response to a request for an update from Alliance MLA Michelle Guy, Ms O’Neill said she and deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly are “committed to working with the Maze Long Kesh Board to maximise these opportunities for the benefit of all”.

But the first minister said they recognise that “would require us to move with consensus and sensitivity”.

“We are committed to working with the corporation to achieve that,” she told MLAs.

“We are considered advice from officials on short- to medium-term priorities and options for the board.

“Discussions are ongoing at an official level, and over the coming weeks, we expect to receive further input to help frame our consideration of the way forward.

“We can assure the member that the future of the site very much remains a live issue which we are committed to resolving.”

Ms Guy put to Ms O’Neill that she last met with the board of the Maze Long Kesh Development Corporation was in July 2024.

Ms O’Neill said she will meet with the board “in the very near future”.

“There needs to be a political agreement in which to move this site forward, and I want that,” she said.

“I do think that we can strike the right balance in terms of having the historical and the economic and the social inclusion aspects of the site all delivered upon, but that requires political will across all and unfortunately, that’s not there.

The former H Block at Maze prison at Long Kesh near Lisburn (Niall Carson/PA)

“But that’s not to say that I accept that, or I give up on that, because I’m going to continue to try to move this forward.”

Ms O’Neill said there are ways to move forward with the site which are “respectful, dignified, that preserves the historical nature of the site”, but also for economic opportunity.

“So I hope that we can get to that juncture,” she added.

“It’s been a long time in the making, but I want to commend the people in the board for keeping things in a state of readiness.

“But clearly, what we need here is a political agreement in which to step forward and actually develop the site.”

The hunger strikes were led by Bobby Sands, an IRA prisoner who was elected MP for Fermanagh and South Tyrone during the protest.