Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I met the individual as well. Obviously, we should write to the Minister. Ironically, the Minister has spoken in the Dáil on this issue on past occasions over many years and expressed opinions on the fact that this gentleman needs solace and justice. There is no doubt in my mind, and I am sure others familiar with the case share these sentiments, that this chap has been treated extremely badly in respect of what happened to him. He has had no recourse. He was dismissed from the Prison Service after basically stopping an escapee from leaving the prison. The Minister for Justice and Equality was in the locality of Portlaoise recently and listed a number of those in the Prison Service who had done the State some service. Amazingly enough, Sean O'Brien's name was left out of the list which is, frankly, unbelievable. It is a fact that this gentleman stopped a prison escape.

It is not in the remit of this committee but, as we are all Members of the Parliament and as this is a case of natural justice, we must get it into the right forum. We must write to the Minister for Justice and Equality and the justice committee and ask them to investigate this, or try to get to a position where we can give Sean justice. He absolutely deserves it.