91Èȱ¬

W. D. Flackes, 91Èȱ¬ NI's political editor, reports on Archbishop Tomás Ó Fiaich's visit to the Maze prison outside Belfast. He says the Archbishop's statement amounts to an appeal for the restoration of 'special category' status for republican prisoners which was phased out in March 1976.

Interviewed in the grounds of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Armagh, Archbishop Ó Fiaich says republican prisoners are a special case: these men were tried without a jury and their voluntary confessions have been called into question by a recent Amnesty International report. He says the filth, dirt and smell of the cells was so strong he felt like vomiting. Archbishop Ó Fiaich will send a special report on his findings to the Vatican.

Responding to the Archbishop's statement, Northern Ireland Secretary of State Roy Mason said there would be no concessions for convicted criminals. He denies that the prisoners are being ill-treated and said they were responsible for the current conditions in the Maze prison.

Archbishop Ó Fiaich was elevated to the position of Cardinal in July 1979.