Dad ‘sickened’ after prison officers watched his son blind himself

Staff at Northern Ireland's high security prison at Maghaberry near Lisburn have been strongly criticised for watching and failing to intervene as a mentally ill prisoner blinded himself. and injured his groin area.

A report by the Prisoner Ombudsman published today says Sean Lynch inflicted "extreme and shocking" self harm over a three day period in June 2014.

On the final day, it says two prison officers watched as the 23 year old Derry man - injured himself on more than 20 occasions in an "ordeal" that last for over an hour.