10 April 1997 Edition

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POW treated in hospital

POW Eugene McKee required specialist treatment in Belfast's City hospital after injuries he sustained at the hands of a riot squad in the aftermath of the discovery of a tunnel in H7 Long Kesh on Sunday March 23. McKee was one of 66 POWs beaten by screws in follow-up searches.

McKee, who was held in H-Block 5, sustained severe injuries including torn back ligaments, muscle spasms and his wrists were badly bruised due to the tightness of handcuffs. He also received a black eye and has to wear a neck collar. The West Belfast man required morphine injections to ease the pain.

McKee told An Phoblacht that the prison authorities were reluctant to release him and were only forced to do so after the intervention of an outside doctor and solicitor.

``I didn't receive proper hospital treatment until Wednesday 9 April and am currently on a course of painkillers including Robaxin and Diazepam,'' he said.

McKee also described how during the raids after the tunnel was found over 100 hundred screws with full riot gear, who were shipped in from Maghaberry and Magilligan, assaulted prisoners. This was despite assurances given by prison authorities that any search procedure would not be an excuse for violence. ``Six of them dressed like storm troopers entered my cell, they grabbed my arms and forced me to the ground, my arms were forced up my back and I was handcuffed, they then dragged me up, trailed me into the wings, and strip searched me on the floor. They marched me away with my head being forced looking to the ground. Their faces were covered at all times''.

The Belfast man, who is due for release next year, may suffer long term injuries from the attack and has to attend immediate physiotherapy sessions that may not be available at Long Kesh. He said that the prisoners' spokesperson is currently in negotiation with prison authorities to try and resolve the tense situation.

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland