Prison work gets started

The 20 million prison complex in Maghaberry, near Moira, was expected to take several years to complete.

Bulldozers had set the ball rolling by moving in to begin excavation work and concrete perimeter walls had been erected around the land.

The 370-acre site was on an old airfield and about half a dozen families living nearby had been required to leave their homes and take up accommodation elsewhere.

Maghaberry prison was expected to hold 447 men and 56 women prisoners, and would also include extra accommodation for warders and other administrative staff needed to run the centre.

The prison was to be built in several stages and wouldn’t be ready for its first inmates for at least another four years.

Initial reaction from local residents was one of great apprehension and a public inquiry was subsequently held.

But the decision was made to place the prison there, and the move was due to bring extra employment and business to the small community.