The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, has deplored the violence by Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF) inmates at the Maze and the resultant attacks against serving and former prison officers' homes and families.
She issued her statement after another attack on the home of a retired prison officer in Lurgan. The latest incident happened late on Thursday night when two shots were fired at the ex-officer's front door at Brookhill in Lurgan. His car in the driveway was also set alight.
No one was injured, although one child had a narrow escape. Dr Mowlam said she unreservedly condemned "those cowards" for their attacks "on people who do a difficult job and who have served this community well over many years".
"I was appalled to hear of one incident in which a young child had a narrow escape as bullets were fired through the front door of his grandparents' home. I call upon all those with influence in the community to help bring these despicable attacks to an end immediately," Dr Mowlam added.
Ms Eileen Bell of the Alliance Party condemned the LVF damage at the Maze and the attacks on prison officers. "Prison officers already work in a very stressful and demanding position and it is deplorable that prisoners and their supporters use them as bait for their own purposes," she added.
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