RTE News Ireland: ‘Prisoner Ombudsman can be helpful…’
July 1, 2011
Pauline McCabe, Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, who investigates deaths in Prison Service ‘cannot be helpful’ in the case of Brendan Lillis who is dying in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland…
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RTE News Ireland, 29 March 2011 – The PSNI has begun a criminal investigation after the Northern Ireland Prisoner Ombudsman said a prison officer planted a note in the cell of a dissident republican suspect.
Probe into Maghaberry prison cell note
The PSNI has begun a criminal investigation after the Northern Ireland Prisoner Ombudsman said a prison officer planted a note in the cell of a dissident republican suspect.
The Prison Service of Northern Ireland says a member of staff has been suspended following the report by the ombudsman.
In a statement, the Prison Service said the prison officer was suspended in accordance with its code of discipline.
‘We have launched a disciplinary investigation into this matter which has been adjourned pending the outcome of the police inquiry.’
The note is believed to have contained personal details about the then Governor of Maghaberry Prison, Steve Rodford.
Mr Rodford resigned in December 2009 because of fears he faced a security threat.
Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe found that on the balance of probabilities, a member of prison staff planted the note in the cell of Brendan McConville, who is charged with the murder of PSNI Constable Stephen Carroll in Craigavon two years ago.
Mr McConville’s lawyer wrote to the Ombudsman alleging that his client had been set up by prison staff opposed to planned reforms within the prison.
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0329/psni.html
Photo: Brendan Lillis who is now more then 450 days in bed in the Maghaberry prison of Northern Ireland. He has lost half of his body weight and is too weak to move, yet Maghaberry prison refuses to provide IV nourishment to him. He risks to die one of the coming days.
Friends of Brendan Lillis
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_182248348494841#!/home.php?sk
=group_132734503459781
Write to Brendan:
Brendan Lillis, Maghaberry Gaol, Prison Hospital, Upper Ballinderry Road, Lisburn Co. Antrim, North of Ireland BT 28 2PT.
prisons of shame 
July 1, 2011 at 2:56 pm
David Ford, Justice Minister
Department of Justice – Block B
Castle Buildings
Stormont Estate
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT4 3SG
July 1, 2011 at 3:17 pm
People can email to Ms. McCabe, to demand that Brendan be given IV nutrition.
PA/Prisoner.Ombudsman@prisonerombudsman.x.gsi.gov.uk
Prisoner Ombudsman’s Office
Pauline McCabe, Prisoner Ombudsman for Northern Ireland
22nd Floor, Windsor House
Bedford Street
Belfast BT2 7FT
July 1, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Maghaberry Prison Ombudsman Report: Death of Victor Ruddy, Age 29, January, 2008:http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3Afx40Aa-Z45UJ%3Awww.niprisonservice.gov.uk%2Findex.cfm%2Fdownload%2Ftrue%2Fid%2F462+Maghaberry+prison+ombudsman&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjJKnHfVv8Nss3mPJ8G4xdeMIaF9Ydt9q8_n7B5FqICC1AojiVAqCcSVob7vgVjrersg6V14ai8aeA26RTigwZdrguR9uhSy9SqYDF2penj6eOzb7Bb2JkUAF92DlobVpdRpakN&sig=AHIEtbS8Ima4E-413ksd0A-7nSso-pIU6Q
Maghaberry Prison Ombudsman Report: Death of Martin Harper, January, 2009:http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache%3Afx40Aa-Z45UJ%3Awww.niprisonservice.gov.uk%2Findex.cfm%2Fdownload%2Ftrue%2Fid%2F462+Maghaberry+prison+ombudsman&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESjJKnHfVv8Nss3mPJ8G4xdeMIaF9Ydt9q8_n7B5FqICC1AojiVAqCcSVob7vgVjrersg6V14ai8aeA26RTigwZdrguR9uhSy9SqYDF2penj6eOzb7Bb2JkUAF92DlobVpdRpakN&sig=AHIEtbS8Ima4E-413ksd0A-7nSso-pIU6Q
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Maghaberry Prison Ombudsman Report: Death of Colin Bell, Age 34, July, 2008:http://www.niprisonerombudsman.gov.uk/downloads/ColinBellReport.pdf
Click to access ColinBellReport.pdf
http://www.niprisonerombudsman.gov.uk
Maghaberry Prison Ombudsman Report: Death of James Speers, Age 49, February, 2008:http://niprisonerombudsman.com/downloads/JamesSpeersAppendices.pdf
Click to access JamesSpeersAppendices.pdf
The Minister of Justice, David Ford: ‘As there has been some publicity, perhaps I should mention initially that there was a death in custody in Maghaberry prison yesterday evening. All the usual examinations are being carried out. At this stage, there is no sign of any suspicious circumstances. It is obviously a tragedy for an individual family, but that is all I can say on that point at this stage. I thought members might want to know that.’ http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/record/committees2011/Justice/110623_LegalAidDispute.htm
July 1, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Maghaberry Prison Ombudsman Report: Death of John Derry, Age 50, August, 2009: http://www.niprisonservice.gov.uk/module.cfm/opt/10/area/Press%20Releases/page/pressrel/year/2010/month/12/pid/579
July 1, 2011 at 3:29 pm
The remark of Minister of Justice David Ford sounds cynical: ‘All the usual examinations are being carried out. At this stage, there is no sign of any suspicious circumstances. It is obviously a tragedy for an individual family, but that is all I can say on that point at this stage’.
July 1, 2011 at 3:36 pm
Here is an article about the Maghaberry Prison Ombudsman recommending policies be put into place at this prison regarding illegal drugs. Last month, a guard (screw) was arrested at the prison for selling drugs.
But about the dead or dying prisoners, the Prison Ombudsman ‘cannot be helpful’…
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http://www.u.tv/News/Prison-drug-policy-audit-urged/d5e13534-2e43-4887-b47e-c6338fdd8b83
UTV News – Prison drug policy audit urged
The Prisoner Ombudsman says an audit of policies within Northern Ireland’s jails to combat substance abuse needs to be carried out to prevent more inmates from dying.
July 1, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Write to Brendan:
The address of Brendan is: Brendan Lillis, Maghaberry Gaol, Prison Hospital, Upper Ballinderry Road, Lisburn Co. Antrim, North of Ireland BT 28 2PT.