- The Observer,
- Sunday July 20 2003
A spokeswoman for the PSNI has confirmed that the police have applied for a court order to obtain all the film from television reports on the occupation of the Northern Ireland Prison Service HQ in East Belfast. Up to 40 supporters of republican prisoners held in Maghaberry jail occupied one of the Prison Service's offices in Dundonald House on 2 July.
Ulster Television filmed the original protest, during which the authorities alleged personnel files of prison officers and civil servants were stolen. The PSNI claimed the files could have fallen into the hands of the Real IRA.
Rob Morrison, editor of news and current affairs at UTV, said court orders allowing the police to seize broadcaster's footage was 'not unprecedented but certainly becoming more frequent'.
Morrison added that UTV news and current affairs would oppose any such move in the courts. However, if a court ruled in the PSNI's favour, broadcasters would be obliged to hand over footage or face contempt of court charges.
The demonstration at Dundonald House was held to highlight demands by Real IRA inmates to be segregated from loyalists at Maghaberry prison.
At present dissident republicans are held on the same wings, and often the same cells, as their loyalist foes. This has led to violent clashes between prisoners.
The dispute escalated earlier this month when seven Real IRA prisoners, led by their 'commanding officer' in the jail, refused to wash and started smearing excrement on their cell walls.
