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Female prisoners 'second class' Female prisoners 'second class'
(about 1 hour later)
Female inmates at Maghaberry jail "seemed to be treated like second class citizens", a Belfast coroner has said.Female inmates at Maghaberry jail "seemed to be treated like second class citizens", a Belfast coroner has said.
John Leckey made the comment at an inquest into the death of remand prisoner Roseanne Irvine, 34, found hanging in her cell in March 2004.John Leckey made the comment at an inquest into the death of remand prisoner Roseanne Irvine, 34, found hanging in her cell in March 2004.
She suffered from mental problems and alcohol dependency, and had tried to kill herself before in custody.She suffered from mental problems and alcohol dependency, and had tried to kill herself before in custody.
The inquest was told all male prisoners were treated before female inmates, regardless of what was wrong with them.The inquest was told all male prisoners were treated before female inmates, regardless of what was wrong with them.
Mr Leckey expressed concern on Wednesday that female prisoners "seemed to be treated like second class citizens". Ms Irvine had been on suicide watch at the jail but despite this was not seen by a doctor.
A psychiatric nurse told the court that was "just the way things were". A prison psychiatric nurse, Rhonda Fagan, told the inquest that was because the doctor was too busy on the male wing of the jail.
On Tuesday, the hearing heard she had been assessed as suicidal and should have been seen by a doctor within 48 hours, but was found dead the next day. Overdose claim
The coroner John Leckey asked: "So are you saying the men were treated first and if there was any spare capacity the women were seen?"
"Yes," she replied.
"Why was that?" Mr Leckey asked. "It seems sexist to me, one can't help but get the impression that female prisoners were treated as second class citizens."
Mrs Fagan replied: "That's just the way it was done."
A prison officer told the court she could not recall if a search was made of Ms Irvine's cell earlier on the day she died - after she claimed she had taken an overdose.
The officer said there were not enough staff to search the cell and landings.
Ms Irvine, the mother of a young daughter, was on remand on an arson charge when she died.Ms Irvine, the mother of a young daughter, was on remand on an arson charge when she died.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.