John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I do not mind. I can give him one minute. I welcome the Minister of State to the House. This matter is of great concern to all Oireachtas Members in County Roscommon. Harristown House is a unit adjacent to the prison in Castlerea. Historically, this was an open unit used to deal with prisoners with problems from drug misuse. When St. Patrick's Hospital in Castlerea closed, the people in the area believed that the prison in the area would benefit the town, as there would be many prison officers and staff employed, with many wage packets floating around. The reality is that the prisoners came but the prison officers did not look to reside in Castlerea, with the majority residing 20 or 30 miles away. There was no great contribution to the economy in Castlerea.

It is with great regret that people see that this unit is bringing no benefit to the people, and it has brought a certain level of criminality to the town. It may be proposed that "lifers", or those people with life sentences, mainly for murder, coming to the end of their sentences may be housed in this new unit at Harristown House.

This is coupled with fewer Garda numbers on the beat and the closure of Garda stations around the county. To this degree, many elderly people are frightened. I seek assurance from the Minister for Justice and Equality that so-called lifers will not be housed in the open unit. Will the Minister of State ask the Minister for these assurances on my behalf and that of the people of Castlerea?