"This council notes with grave concern the ongoing inhumane and intolerable conditions endured by republican prisoners in Maghaberry prison. Republican prisoners, their families and friends from this council area are suffering badly under the present draconian regime.  It is imperative that Newry and Mourne District Council use all their experience and resources to seek a just and lasting resolution to this humanitarian issue."

Statement from the Families, Friends and Ex-POWs campaign group in Newry:

We, The Families and Friends of Maghaberry POWs in Newry, would like to express our satisfaction at Newry and Mourne District Councils decision to pass a motion at Monday night’s meeting regarding the serious humanitarian issue in Maghaberry prison.  The motion was proposed by Independent Cllr Martin Connolly and the only objections came from four unionists.
The motion proposes that Newry & Mourne district Council writes to, the Justice Minister, David Ford expressing their concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in Maghaberry and that the claims from the POWs regarding the inhumane conditions in Roe House be thoroughly investigated.
Newry & Mourne District Council will also seek to send a delegation to Maghaberry prison to meet with the POWs and if necessary meet with the prison authorities as well, this delegation will be made up of councillors and council officials from Newry & Mourne District Council.
This is a small but significant victory in highlighting the suffering endured by republican prisoners and their families.
This issue should be of concern to everyone, regardless of what political parties they support.
We are hopeful that other councillors around the country might now submit similar motions to their councils. We encourage people to contact their local councillors and put pressure on them to highlight the inhumane and intolerable conditions in Maghaberry.