Five prison officers have been sacked from Northern Ireland's top security Maghaberry Prison for allegedly having sex with inmates, it was revealed today.
Male officers are alleged to have had sex with two women jailed for murdering their husbands, and a female warder with a loyalist paramilitary inmate.
They were among a number of officers subject to an official investigation into "alleged inappropriate behaviour in Mourne House" at the Co Antrim jail, said the Northern Ireland Prison Service.
The independent investigation has just begun under the leadership of one of Northern Ireland's top retired detectives.
The ex-Detective Superintendent has been appointed to carry out the probe which is expected to last several months. Prison sources confirmed the sackings saying they had taken place despite the inquiry being in its early days.
The officers had been under suspension and letters were sent out to them this week by the Prison Service saying their employment was being terminated.
The Prison Service said they would not comment on individual personnel matters. But a spokesman added: "The Northern Ireland Prison Service has a code of conduct and discipline which sets out the high standards of personal conduct expected by staff both on and off duty."
While the vast majority of staff carried out their duties to the high standards expected and with the utmost integrity: "The Prison Service will rigorously investigate any allegations of misconduct and will not hesitate to take appropriate action if required," he said.
Two women jailed for the murder of their husbands, one an ex-prostitute, are said to be at the centre of the sex allegations involving male officers and a female warder is also alleged to have slept with a former LVF paramilitary boss.