Statement from Cogus POW s (ONH) Óglaigh na hÉireann Maghaberry Prison

Cogus prisoners of war (POWs) have been engaged in a standoff with Maghaberry Prison staff and healthcare team for over a week now in regards to the new regime that the prison service has employed to the distribution of medication for prisoners.

The Prison Service agreed a policy with the prison reveiw team and the SDLP of installing medication boxes outside of prisoners cells that could store medicines for self administration by Republican POWs. The boxes were never installed. The practice of the medical officer calling at cells and giving out medicines continued. Last week the prison service informed republican prisoners that from now on they would have to go the circle and collect medicines and discuss medical issues in full view and earshot of prison staff and Ordinary Decent Criminals (ODC’s) from Roe 1 & 2. Cogus prisoners complained to the Medical Officer (MO) that there was no privacy or dignity to this method. The Mo said she had no problem going onto the republican landings but was getting hassle from OCDs on those landings with prisoners being aggressive in their attempts to secure stronger and more medications and that this new policy was a result of those pressures. It was pointed out to the House Governer that on the rupubican landings no MO has ever had a problem, he agreed with this. Since last week Congus POWs have refused to go down and collect any tablets, sprays or medicines as they will not allow themselves to be degraded. They demand privacy around medical issues and will refuse to comply with any attempts to deprive them of dignity. Cogus POWs are now heading into their second week without medical care. This despite the fact that some have serious medical needs, including 71-year-old Tommy Maguire, Ta McWilliams, Phil O’Donnell and Tony Tayor to name a few. This issue needs addressed and highlighted as a matter of urgency before another republican prisoner is left with long term health issues or worse!

Statement Ends.