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01/02/2008
Maze Escapee Arrested In Texas
A prisoner who escaped the Maze prison in 1983 has been arrested on the Texas border.
US Border Patrol detained escapee Paul Brennan on Monday night after a routine check found his immigration documents were out of date.
Border Officials at the Sarita checkpoint near Brownsville uncovered his identity after running Brennan’s fingerprints through an automated fingerprint identity system, which is linked to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and INTERPOL among others.
Brennan had escaped from the Maze prison in 1983 where he was serving a 23-year sentence for possession of a firearm and bomb related equipment.
Ronald D. Vitiello, Chief Patrol Agent for the Rio Grande Valley Sector said: “The primary purpose of checkpoint operations is to support enhanced national security efforts that deter, detect and prevent the threat of further terrorist attacks against the United States.
“Border Patrol…continue(s) to be a reliable means of detecting people who would attempt to enter the United States illegally and threaten the integrity of border security."
Paul Brennan is said to have escaped during one of the largest jailbreaks in UK history when 38 republican prisoners broke out in 1983. One officer died from a heart attack after being stabbed during the escape.
In 2000, the British government announced that the extradition requests for Brennan were withdrawn as part of the Good Friday Agreement. Although still officially a fugitive, the Prison Service said they were no longer actively pursuing his recapture.
A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “After his extradition case was dropped in October 2000, he was granted the right to remain in the US where he has been living and working ever since.
"His family remain hopeful that this anomaly will be successfully resolved in the near future."
The Maze prison has been closed in September 2000 as a result of the Good Friday Agreement's early release scheme.
(DW)
US Border Patrol detained escapee Paul Brennan on Monday night after a routine check found his immigration documents were out of date.
Border Officials at the Sarita checkpoint near Brownsville uncovered his identity after running Brennan’s fingerprints through an automated fingerprint identity system, which is linked to the Joint Terrorism Task Force and INTERPOL among others.
Brennan had escaped from the Maze prison in 1983 where he was serving a 23-year sentence for possession of a firearm and bomb related equipment.
Ronald D. Vitiello, Chief Patrol Agent for the Rio Grande Valley Sector said: “The primary purpose of checkpoint operations is to support enhanced national security efforts that deter, detect and prevent the threat of further terrorist attacks against the United States.
“Border Patrol…continue(s) to be a reliable means of detecting people who would attempt to enter the United States illegally and threaten the integrity of border security."
Paul Brennan is said to have escaped during one of the largest jailbreaks in UK history when 38 republican prisoners broke out in 1983. One officer died from a heart attack after being stabbed during the escape.
In 2000, the British government announced that the extradition requests for Brennan were withdrawn as part of the Good Friday Agreement. Although still officially a fugitive, the Prison Service said they were no longer actively pursuing his recapture.
A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “After his extradition case was dropped in October 2000, he was granted the right to remain in the US where he has been living and working ever since.
"His family remain hopeful that this anomaly will be successfully resolved in the near future."
The Maze prison has been closed in September 2000 as a result of the Good Friday Agreement's early release scheme.
(DW)
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31 August 2021
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A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
53-Year-Old Dies In Custody At Maghaberry Prison
A 53-year-old has reportedly died in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced. The Department of Justice has reported that the prisoner died on Saturday 28 August, that his next of kin have been informed and that the death was not covid related.
31 August 2018
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
Man Dies In Maghaberry Prison
A 22-year-old man has died while in custody at Maghaberry Prison, the Northern Ireland Prison Service has reported. The Department of Justice has confirmed that the man died in custody on the morning of Thursday, 30 August. The man's next of kin have been informed. The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have been informed about the death.
14 March 2017
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
Female Prison Officer Injured After Being Attacked At Magahberry Jail
A female prison officer has been injured after being attacked by a male inmate at Maghaberry Prison just outside Lisburn. A sharp weapon is believed to have been used. The officer was taken to hospital to be treated. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "A prison officer has suffered a serious injury following an assault by a prisoner in Maghaberry.
14 September 2016
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
Staff At Maghaberry Prison Watched As Prisoner Self-Harmed
Staff at Maghaberry Prison in Lisburn have been criticised after they failed to intervene while a prisoner blinded himself, according to a Prison Ombudsman report. Sean Lynch, 23, was being detained at the prison in June 2014 and inflicted "extreme and shocking" injuries through self-harm over a three day period.
26 October 2009
Prison Arts Celebrated
Northern Ireland prisoners have won two first prizes and landed more than 29 awards in a prestigious UK-wide competition for prison arts. Artwork from Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood was among 150 original visual pieces on display at the annual Koestler Awards Exhibition which previewed at the Royal Festival Hall in London today.
Prison Arts Celebrated
Northern Ireland prisoners have won two first prizes and landed more than 29 awards in a prestigious UK-wide competition for prison arts. Artwork from Maghaberry and Hydebank Wood was among 150 original visual pieces on display at the annual Koestler Awards Exhibition which previewed at the Royal Festival Hall in London today.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
