June 6, 2003 Murphy Sees IRA Dissident in Prison Visit
by David Gordon, email: dgordon@belfasttelegraph.co.uk

SECRETARY of State Paul Murphy talked with a high-ranking dissident republican during a jail visit this week, it can be revealed today.

Mr Murphy came face to face on Tuesday with John Connolly, the leader of dissident terrorist inmates at Maghaberry Prison.

Connolly (27) is serving a 14-year sentence after being caught in possession of a "barrack buster" mortar bomb in Fermanagh in November 2000.

He was arrested in an undercover Army operation on Remembrance Day. Security sources linked the foiled attack to the Real IRA.

Details of Connolly's unplanned prison encounter with Mr Murphy were revealed by the Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association (IRPWA).

The dissident grouping described Connolly as OC (officer commanding) of republican prisoners in Maghaberry jail.

While not denying that a brief conversation took place, the NIO was today playing down the matter.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said the Secretary of State had made a "routine visit" to Maghaberry on Tuesday.

"During the visit, he had the opportunity to see the work going on in many parts of the prison and met a number of prisoners from all backgrounds," he added.

The IRPWA said Connolly pressed the Secretary of State to introduce segregation between republican and loyalist inmates and sanction "political status" for republicans.

"There was an attempt made by the prison officials to prevent any contact but the Secretary of State indicated that he was prepared to speak with the OC," it added.

Connolly was one of three terrorists arrested by soldiers at Teemore crossroads, Fermanagh, on November 11, 2000.

Belfast Crown Court heard that he had a 1995 conviction for membership of a paramilitary organisation.