Maghaberry prison Protest ended
The Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, Peter Russell, has said overnight disturbances by loyalist inmates at Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim placed the lives of prisoners and staff at risk.
Up to 35 loyalist prisoners barricaded themselves inside a section of the jail where a fire broke out shortly before 8pm last night.
The authorities regained full control of the prison this morning, and the prisoners returned to their cells after taking over the block for ten hours.
There are no reports of injuries amongst inmates, but a number of prison officers were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation. A spokeswoman for the Northern Ireland Office said there were no reports of serious injuries.
Marcus Lewis, chairman of the Prison Officers Association's Maghaberry branch, said that the prisoners had 'gone on a rampage of wanton destruction'. A suspect device was also discovered in the wing.
