Maghaberry lock-down claims rejected

Maghaberry lock-down claims rejected

Prisoners at Maghaberry Prison are not subject to 23-hour lock-up, the prison service has said.



It follows claims made by dissident republicans after a two-day protest by 28 prisoners who barricaded themselves into a dining room on Sunday.

A group linked to the Continuity IRA said the protest was over prison conditions, including lock-downs.

However, in a statement the prison service said inmates were "cared for in a safe and humane manner".

"The prison service strongly refutes claims that prisoners are subject to a 23-hour lock-up - this is not the case," it added.

The prisoners who took part in the incident were 16 Continuity IRA members, 10 Real IRA and two INLA.