The mother of a republican prisoner at Maghaberry prison last night said demands for segregation must be met to ensure inmates' safety. Dolores Dillon, whose son Sean is taking part in a 'dirty protest', criticised the Prison Service for preventing visits to the republican inmates taking part in the protest.
And she said the jail could no longer house republican and loyalist prisoners in the same wings after her son received a loyalist death threat.
However, last night in response a Prison Service spokeswoman would only say: "The Prison Service rejects these allegations."
Sean Dillon, who has been on remand since February 2001, is now in the fourth week of a protest aimed at gaining segregation from other inmates.
Mr Dillon, from Roughan Way in Coalisland, Co Tyrone is denying charges of possessing a rocket launcher with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to murder members of the security forces.
The charges relate to the discovery of an RPG22 rocket launcher and warhead close to a police station in Coalisland.
His mother Dolores said last night that her son and other republican prisoners were being denied their visitation rights.
"The families are not getting visits, prisoners are not allowed to make phone calls, there are no letters, they are not allowed their solicitors in.
"There has been no communication whatsoever," Mrs Dillon said.
"Sean has received a death threat from loyalists. Police have been in to inform him of this. My main concern is the safety of my son and other prisoners.
"His uncle was murdered by the LVF and I am too well aware of what can happen."
In 1997 Mr Dillon's uncle, Seamus Dillon, was working as a doorman at the Glengannon Hotel, Dungannon, when he was shot dead by the LVF.
The attack took place 12 hours after the killing of Billy Wright.
Martine Patterson, whose partner Terry McCafferty is also on the 'dirty protest', also hit out at conditions at the Co Antrim prison.
"They are not even allowed to see the chaplain in Maghaberry, or go to Mass.
"It is 24-hour lock up. The only time they get out is when they get a visit which is very rarely. We have had only one visit out of five in the last two weeks," she said.
Secretary of State Paul Murphy appointed a panel this week to review prison safety at the jail.
The three-man panel will review prison staff and inmates' concerns.
