Former prison governor gets CBE

Former prison governor gets CBE

7 January 2015

CROSSGAR man Patrick Maguire has been awarded a CBE in recognition of his public service with the Northern Ireland Prison Service.

Now retired from the organisation, Mr. Maguire says he is “thrilled and honoured” that someone nominated him for what is one of only three CBEs awarded in the Province in the Queen’s New Year Honours.

Married with three children, Mr. Maguire now awaits confirmation of the date of his trip to Buckingham Palace to receive the prestigious award. He said the forthcoming ceremony will be a “very proud day” for all the family.

Mr. Maguire admits it was a “huge surprise and a bit of a shock” when he opened the letter last November confirming he had been nominated for a CBE.

“It is not often you get nice shocks in life but this was certainly one of them,” he continued. “I feel deeply honoured to have been nominated for this award and recognised in this way.

“I worked as part of a team and the CBE which I have been given is also a reflection on the work of the Northern Ireland Prison Service.” The Crossgar man worked for the Prison Service for over three decades, with one third of his 32 years spent as a Governor One, the highest governor rank within the organisation.

A former governor at Maghaberry Prison, Patrick spent time at the Prison Service’s headquarters at Dundonald House in Belfast. He is a former principal and deputy principal of the Prison Service’s College at Millisle on the Ards peninsula.

He was the last deputy governor at the Crumlin Road jail in Belfast before its closure on March 30, 1996.

Although retired from the Prison Service, Mr. Maguire keeps in contact with many of his former colleagues and has been surprised by the number of telephone calls, texts and cards he has received congratulating him on his CBE.

He revealed the deluge of cards even prompted his postman to ask if he was one of the New Year Honours recipients.

“When you are a governor you do not achieve anything without the help of others. I am a great believer in the team ethos and worked with many others during my career with the Prison Service,” he continued.

“The CBE I have received is certainly a great reflection on the Prison Service, its work and the people in the organisation. I regard this nomination as a privilege. People do like to be recognised I suppose and my family and I are very proud indeed.”

He added: “I am really thrilled and very honoured someone nominated me for this award. It is a recognition not just for me, but those whom I have worked with over many years and the Prison Service itself.”