Republican protest outside Maghaberry
Relatives of republican inmates at Maghaberry have held a protest outside the jail.
Up to 250 people gathered outside the gates of the high security prison in Lisburn on Sunday afternoon.
They claim conditions for inmates have deteriorated and are calling for an end to strip searches which they say violates their human rights.
Last August, following talks between the NI Prison Service and inmates, an agreement was reached to end random full-body searching before domestic and legal visits.
However, over the last few weeks, around 15 prisoners have been holding their own protest after a judge ruled full body searches in the jail were lawful.
Independent Cllr David Hyland told UTV that Justice Minister David Ford is holding out on information that could bring the protests to an end.
“The minister, we believe, has had a set of recommendations for the assessment which would clarify it for us and bring this protest to an end,” Mr Hyland said
“He has had this since January of this year and he hasn’t acted on it – the big question for us is why.”
In a statement released on Sunday, a Prison Service spokesperson said: “Justice Minister David Ford met with the assessors last week following their recent visit to Maghaberry.
“The NI Prison Service remains committed to the full implementation and fundamental principles of the agreement reached last August.”
