Assault On POW In Maghaberry Jail, Co Antrim By Prison Staff

Press statement issued yesterday by Republican Sinn Féin regarding an incident in Maghaberry Prison. 


The POW Department of Republican Sinn  were made aware on Thursday, April 23, 2015 of an incident that morning involving a CABHAIR aligned prisoner in Roe House, Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim. 

Gabriel Mackle was subjected to a physical assault at the hands of the so-called search team. While he was making his way to the canteen, an alarm was activated; the search team rushed onto the landing and without provocation or warning set about physically assaulting, or as they refer to as, restraining Gabriel.

This was done under the direction and in the presence of governor Malcom Swarbrick. It is clear the jail administration never had any intention of creating a conflict free environment which was enshrined in the August 2010 Agreement. It has been become the norm for SOs with minor disagreements, to activate the emergency alarm and the search team clears the landings using force rather than engaging with the Republican prisoners.

This is an ongoing issue, in an attempt to oppress and break the will of the prisoners. It is well past time for David Ford’s assessment team to intervene and implement the Agreement, and to condemn the attack on a POW which they witnessed first hand this morning.

Is it the case that Ford’s assessment team is only a PR exercise as the search team under the direction of the governor carried out this assault in the presence of the assessment team? It seems that the jail administration is a law onto itself, no matter what David Ford says or thinks, it always has been and will continues to be.

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