Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I have made my position clear on the prisoners who were involved in the murder of Jerry McCabe and the wounding of Ben O'Sullivan. There has been no change on this in the last six years. In 1999, the Provisional IRA prisoners were moved to the Grove area of Castlerea. It is an open prison, although it is not in any way luxurious. The procedures there are obviously less strict than elsewhere. In all prisons, including Castlerea, it is a matter for the governor to determine the duties of the trustees and how that is handled. I have no news of any change in this. I have heard of reports and I have tried to check on them, but I have been told that it is entirely inaccurate to say that these prisoners are in control of the prison. The murderers of Garda Jerry McCabe are in prison and they will remain there for the duration of their sentences. I have received no information from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, or from the governor of the prison, that the circumstances have changed since 1999.

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