Protestant Inmates Hold Part of Prison

Militant Protestant convicts took over part of Northern Ireland’s top-security prison, and the Irish government released two IRA inmates early in a peacemaking gesture. About 10 members of the outlawed Loyalist Volunteer Force took to the roof and set fire to a watchtower overlooking their section of the Maze prison. The pro-British paramilitary group complains that its members don’t have the same educational facilities and visiting rooms as other prisoners. Meanwhile, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern’s new government freed two minor Irish Republican Army members from Portlaoise prison.