Council delegation to meet hunger strike families after Council backs Donnelly motion

Colr. Donnelly proposed that the Council “notes with concern the additional distress being caused to the families of the prisoners currently on hunger strike in Maghaberry and Hydebank prison because of the failure of the Northern Ireland Office and prison authorities to provide regular updates on the prisoners’ ongoing welfare.”

He suggested that the council write to the NIO and call on the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) to release daily updates on the prisoners’ conditions.

His proposal continued: “Council has concerns that the facility Foyle House and the procedures currently being used at Maghaberry prison to house prisoners who are being isolated while being quarantined as a COVID precaution is not fit for purpose and poses a risk to the physical and mental health and welfare of prisoners.

He further proposed that a cross-party delegation including independent councillors meet with the prisoners’ families to listen to their concerns in a “bid to resolve these critical issues and bring about an end to the current hunger strike.”

Colr. Donnelly said: “I’ve been approached by a number of people in my constituency who are very, very concerned about where this may go.”

The proposal to write to the authorities and meet the prisoners’ families was passed by a majority of 30 to 9 with Sinn Féin, SDLP, People Before Profit, Alliance, Aontú and Independent councillors all voting in favour.