Prisoners attack female officers

The officers had spotted a visitor tried to smuggle in contraband

Three female prison officers have been attacked by inmates in Maghaberry prison in County Antrim.

It happened during visiting time on Friday after staff spotted a visitor trying to smuggle a watch to a prisoner.

One of the prison officers suffered broken ribs, another a broken wrist and a third was left with a bruised face.

Finlay Spratt, chairman of the Prison Officers Association, said the attack was despicable.

"Those people should face the full vigour of the law," he said.

"Their job is to stop contraband coming into the prisons and when they do it these visitors and prisoners don't like being caught and that is what has happened here."