Prisoners use attendance at Mass as a cover for moving drugs, the High Court in Belfast heard yesterday.
This has resulted in some prisoners in Magilligan jail, Co Derry, not being allowed to attend Mass, said a prison governor.
The decision was challenged by prisoner Stephen McAree, from west Belfast, but his application for judicial review was dismissed by Mr Justice Treacy.
A prison governor had told the court: “The movement and transfer of drugs between prisoners occurs most frequently at times and places where prisoners congregate in large groups.”
He said that regrettably Mass attendance was used by prisoners for this purpose.
