Hunger strike ends after 42 days

Former IRA hunger striker Raymond McCartney welcomed the news following a meeting with Justice Minister, David Ford.

Mr McCartney said: "I welcome the news that Liam Hannaway has ended his hunger strike.

"I met with him and other prisoners recently when a Sinn Fin delegation visited the prison. During our visit we discussed at length the many issues raised by Liam and the other prisoners relating to the prison regime.

"It is clear that there are problems with the regime in Maghaberry. Particular issues raised by the prisoners included controlled movement, 23 hour lock-up and strip searching. These issues must be addressed as a matter of urgency.

"Prisoners and their families must be treated with dignity and respect. Prisoners have rights and the prison regime should reflect this.

Following our visit to the prison I made a number of representations to the prison authorities and to the new Justice Minister, David Ford,relating to prison conditions.

"I met with David Ford earlier today, Tuesday, for further discussions on Liam Hannaway's situation and the regime in Maghaberry.

"It was always my opinion that these matters can be resolved if the necessary political will is there.

"It is important now that other outstanding issues of concern in Maghaberry, are properly addressed by the prison authorities. Sinn Fin will continue in the coming days to keep working to that end."

Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney was part of a Sinn Fin delegation which entered Maghaberry last Friday, May 14.

The delegation heard the concerns of Hannaway, who was jailed for ten years in 2008 for possession of explosives and upon his imprisonment was told by prison staff that he was under death threat from unnamed republicans.

Hannaway was subsequently moved to a Special Supervision Unit (SSU) - where he remained for over a year - but during this time insisted republican prisoners in Roe house would welcome him "with open arms" and no death threat existed.

Following protests by republican inmates during Easter this year Hannaway was moved into a separate unit of Maghaberry prison at Glen House.

He soon afterwards commenced a hunger strike and by the time of his removal to a special health care unit on Tuesdat, May 25, had been refusing food for 42 days.

Prominent Londonderry republican Gary Donnelly was also confined to the SSU isolation units for a period and was also allegedly under death threat from unnamed republicans but has since returned to Roe house.