Minacciati di morte i secondini responsabili delle perquisizioni corporali di Colin Duffy

Colin Duffy prison strip-search officers face death threat

Prison officers who strip-searched republican prisoner Colin Duffy have been advised to wear bulletproof vests after receiving intelligence that their lives are under terrorist threat, the Belfast Telegraph has learned.

Duffy was strip-searched in Maghaberry jail on his way to and from Coleraine Magistrates Court this month for a preliminary investigation into his alleged role in the Real IRA murder of two soldiers at Massareene Army Barracks in Antrim.

The strip-searching of Duffy — during which he was “physically and sexually assaulted”, according to his lawyer in court — has fuelled tensions within Maghaberry between prison staff and dissident republican prisoners.

“Tensions are very high within Maghaberry and a number of officers have been told that bulletproof vests are available for them. Officers involved in the strip searching of Colin Duffy have been strongly advised to take precautions and to wear the vest at all times when not in work. There is also a lot of concern that someone is going to be killed inside the prison,” a prison source told the Belfast Telegraph.

Fresh tensions within the jail have come at a time when the Prison Service continues to search for a replacement for the jail’s former governor Steve Rodford who resigned almost a year ago, just five months into the job.

Interviews for a replacement governor were carried out last month, but the Belfast Telegraph has learned that none of the applicants were found to be suitable for the post.

A Prison Service spokesman said that it is currently considering its options.

It is understood that interim governor Patrick Maguire, who previously governed Maghaberry from 2002 to 2005, had not applied for the permanent post.

Assembly justice committee member Paul Givan said that the jail is in real need of stability.

“We have had four governors in about two years at Maghaberry. There has been a very high turnover at governor level and that has been part of the problem.

“We need stability. Governor Maguire and his deputy have built up a good relationship with the prison officers and that position should be retained. It is crucial, particularly at this time when tensions are so high, that there is confidence in management and the officers and prisoners know exactly who is managing the prison,” the DUP MLA added.

The Prison Service is also currently searching for a replacement for current prisons boss Robin Masefield who is due to retire in December.

Mr Givan warned that NIPS could be left rudderless unless a replacement is found before Mr Masefield leaves.

“We cannot allow ourselves to have a situation where Robin Masefield stands down and there is nobody ready to replace him and we do not want to have someone acting up temporarily. I would be highly concerned if there was a gap at the very heart of senior management. We need a seamless transition and handover.”