A MAN convicted of the band hall murder of Margaret Wright took legal action yesterday over his failure to have a television set in his prison cell.
Christopher Sheals (29) is being held in solitary confinement at Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, for his own safety following a death threat by the Red Hand Commando. He is confined to his cell for 23 hours a day, which means he is denied privileges available to other prisoners.
Sheals, who is appealing his conviction and life sentence, applied for leave to seek a judicial review of the governor's delay in deciding on his request for a television set. The application was abandoned when his lawyer indicated that a decision had already been made.
A letter sent to Sheals's solicitors by Prison Service Headquarters stated: "Regrettably, for operational reasons, we cannot allow your client access to a television set."
Sheals, from Dorchester Crescent, Glengormley, said in his affidavit that because of the "real and present threat to his life he is detained in the secure unit at Maghaberry.
His affidavit continued: "As a consequence and combination of the constant threats to my life, the lack of daily human communication and the unavailability of normal prison facilities and privileges, I feel that I have been placed under increasing mental strain."
"It is for these reasons that access to a television set in my prison cell would be of significant benefit to my mental health which is suffering due to my continual solitary confinement."
Sheals's barrister, Mr Barry Mulqueen, said his application for a television set was made on March 13th and a decision was not reached until June 17th. "Such a delay was inexcusable and unreasonable, he said.