Sinn Féin raises prison conditions and Orange marches with Justice Minister David Ford

A SINN FÉIN delegation led by party President Gerry Adams and including Justice spokesperson Alex Maskey and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness met with Justice Minister David Ford on Wednesday on issues including the ongoing situation in Maghaberry Prison and a number of upcoming contentious Orange parades.

Alex Maskey said after the meeting:

“We made it clear to Mr Ford our firm view that a number of the problems in Maghaberry, including 23-hour lock-up, restricted movement and access to education and other provisions can and should be sorted out without delay by the prison administration. This is simply an issue of political will and an issue that Sinn Féin are determined to see speedily resolved.

“We also took the opportunity to raise with the minister our concerns around ongoing attempts by the Orange Order to continue to march through areas they are not wanted and the knock-on rise in tensions that this causes, particularly in interface areas.”

ENDS