After what was normally a routine monthly remand hearing via video link Colin Duffy was assaulted by prison officers.  Referring to the attack on him Colin has said that he remembers getting a sense that all was not well with what should have been a normal remand hearing.

While returning back to his cell Colin was subjected to a strip-search: an act which in itself is degrading but which was totally unnecessary given that Colin had no contact with anyone during the video link.

The procedure during the search was not a normal one:  Usually one prison officer would conduct the search while the other would be seated and taking notes.  On this occasion both of them were conducting the search. 

Colin also said that they were very aggressive towards him.  He was told to remove his ' top half ' which he did.  He was then told to raise his arms and then for a second time to raise them even higher.  Colin stated that his arms were as high as they would go.  At this point, one of the prison officers grabbed him by the throat and the other hit Colin around his head with his fists.  At some point during the assault an alarm button was pushed and within minutes a riot squad entered the search area and aggressively removed him to a ' punishment cell '.

Speaking about Colin's ordeal his family said:  " It has been our view that for years Colin has been a victim of State persecution even now while he is being unjustly interned within a british prison he is still being victimised and persecuted.  When will it end?"

His family went on to call for all republicans and nationalists to organise and oppose this brutal regime in Maghaberry prison.