02/10/2009
Staff Suspended Over Prison Death
Four prison staff in the North have been removed from their posts today after a high level investigation into a death in custody moved closer to its conclusion.
The major investigation was launched at the high-security Maghaberry prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim after the second apparent suicide of an inmate in just over a year.
Convicted sex offender John Anthony Deery, 50, died in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital at the end of August after being found hanging in a cell in the medical centre at the jail.
This afternoon, the Northern Ireland Prisons Service (NIPS) revealed that it had suspended four personnel - described as 'healthcare' members of staff - following the investigation by the NI Prisoner Ombudsman into the death in custody on August 28 of John Deery.
An official statement also said that an immediate disciplinary investigation had also been commenced.
NIPS Director General Robin Masefield said: "I am deeply concerned at the circumstances surrounding this death in custody.
"If the outcome of disciplinary investigation requires it, robust action will follow," he said.
"As the internal disciplinary investigation and the Ombudsman's investigation are both ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
The death of Mr Deery came just a year after another prisoner - 34-year-old Colin Bell - hanged himself in the jail, and only five weeks after a damning inspectors' report on safety standards criticised the monitoring procedures for vulnerable inmates.
The Former Governor Alan Longwell and his deputy, Steve Davis, were removed from their posts and other staff disciplined after an independent probe into Mr Bell's death discovered that wardens who were supposed to be checking the high-risk inmate were lying on beds watching TV.
The latest prisoner to die, Mr Deery, was from the Londonderry area and was jailed in 2003 after admitting indecently assaulting five girls between 1975 and 2002.
He had been released on conditions and had only recently returned to Maghaberry after breaching a custody probation order.
The current governor, Steve Rodford, had been in position for just a month when the latest death in custody occurred.
See: Prison Suicide Watch Fails - Again
(BMcC)
The major investigation was launched at the high-security Maghaberry prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim after the second apparent suicide of an inmate in just over a year.
Convicted sex offender John Anthony Deery, 50, died in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital at the end of August after being found hanging in a cell in the medical centre at the jail.
This afternoon, the Northern Ireland Prisons Service (NIPS) revealed that it had suspended four personnel - described as 'healthcare' members of staff - following the investigation by the NI Prisoner Ombudsman into the death in custody on August 28 of John Deery.
An official statement also said that an immediate disciplinary investigation had also been commenced.
NIPS Director General Robin Masefield said: "I am deeply concerned at the circumstances surrounding this death in custody.
"If the outcome of disciplinary investigation requires it, robust action will follow," he said.
"As the internal disciplinary investigation and the Ombudsman's investigation are both ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."
The death of Mr Deery came just a year after another prisoner - 34-year-old Colin Bell - hanged himself in the jail, and only five weeks after a damning inspectors' report on safety standards criticised the monitoring procedures for vulnerable inmates.
The Former Governor Alan Longwell and his deputy, Steve Davis, were removed from their posts and other staff disciplined after an independent probe into Mr Bell's death discovered that wardens who were supposed to be checking the high-risk inmate were lying on beds watching TV.
The latest prisoner to die, Mr Deery, was from the Londonderry area and was jailed in 2003 after admitting indecently assaulting five girls between 1975 and 2002.
He had been released on conditions and had only recently returned to Maghaberry after breaching a custody probation order.
The current governor, Steve Rodford, had been in position for just a month when the latest death in custody occurred.
See: Prison Suicide Watch Fails - Again
(BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
23 January 2012
GAA Player Dies In Training
A young GAA player has collapsed during training and died in a suspected case of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Ciaran Carr, 20, from Clondalkin, Co Dublin, died as he was training with his local Round Towers GAA Club on Friday evening. He was participating in an indoor circuit training session when he suddenly fell forward and collapsed.
GAA Player Dies In Training
A young GAA player has collapsed during training and died in a suspected case of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS). Ciaran Carr, 20, from Clondalkin, Co Dublin, died as he was training with his local Round Towers GAA Club on Friday evening. He was participating in an indoor circuit training session when he suddenly fell forward and collapsed.
23 August 2011
Fresh Border Bomb Alert Ends
A security alert in Newry, the second in the city in two days, has ended. Police were investigating a suspicious object in the grounds of St Mary's Church, but said "nothing untoward" was found. Several homes had been evacuated due to a bomb alert in Newry - the second in 24 hours.
Fresh Border Bomb Alert Ends
A security alert in Newry, the second in the city in two days, has ended. Police were investigating a suspicious object in the grounds of St Mary's Church, but said "nothing untoward" was found. Several homes had been evacuated due to a bomb alert in Newry - the second in 24 hours.
28 July 2010
Ireland Has Highest Birth Rate In Growing EU
With the news that the EU population has surpassed 501 million, it has been revealed Ireland boasts the highest birth rate in the Union. Ireland recorded the highest natural growth in population among member states along with the lowest death rates.
Ireland Has Highest Birth Rate In Growing EU
With the news that the EU population has surpassed 501 million, it has been revealed Ireland boasts the highest birth rate in the Union. Ireland recorded the highest natural growth in population among member states along with the lowest death rates.
21 July 2009
Another Death Blights Roads
Gardaí at Finglas were yesterday investigating one of the latest fatal road traffic collisions to hit the country's roads. This time it involved two cars and occurred at a junction between the Texaco Garage, Coolquay and the White House Public House on the N2, North Road Finglas. It happened at 12.40pm on Monday.
Another Death Blights Roads
Gardaí at Finglas were yesterday investigating one of the latest fatal road traffic collisions to hit the country's roads. This time it involved two cars and occurred at a junction between the Texaco Garage, Coolquay and the White House Public House on the N2, North Road Finglas. It happened at 12.40pm on Monday.
14 November 2007
Tallagh Shooting Death Probed
A body has been found in a house in Tallaght which Gardai say is that of a man aged in his thirties. It was discovered in Donomore estate shortly after noon. The city coroner and State Pathologist have been informed of the discovery. The scene has been sealed off for a forensic team to investigate. It is believed the man was shot dead.
Tallagh Shooting Death Probed
A body has been found in a house in Tallaght which Gardai say is that of a man aged in his thirties. It was discovered in Donomore estate shortly after noon. The city coroner and State Pathologist have been informed of the discovery. The scene has been sealed off for a forensic team to investigate. It is believed the man was shot dead.