Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

My thoughts too are with the Defence Forces personnel. It is a pity only 12 of them have gone to Sudan. It is a humanitarian mission. The triple lock does not apply. We should have many more people there. The need for heavy-lift aircraft has once again been exposed.

On 18 May 1988, 02789H, prison officer Sean O'Brien was on duty in Portlaoise Prison. I have been given permission to use his name today. Members will recall that this was at the height of the Troubles. I have been informed that during an escape attempt by Mr. Paddy McVeigh of the Provisional IRA, the deputy governor of the prison, gave O'Brien an order to pursue the prisoner. Senators might remember that a large crowd was outside Portlaoise Prison at that time waiting for McVeigh to be released because he was to be rearrested when he came out. Allegedly, the deputy governor pushed O'Brien in the direction of the escaping prisoner and told him to "go and get him" while remaining under cover himself. Events resulted in some shots being fired beside and over the head of O'Brien. On 14 June 1988, O'Brien was called to the Department of Justice for a meeting. I am informed that at that meeting he was congratulated for his bravery and informed he would receive a medal and possibly a promotion. Immediately after the event, however, the prison management set in train a process which O'Brien and others say attempted to cover up what had actually occurred on the day. I am informed that statements were prescribed and prison officers were asked to sign them.O'Brien refused to sign. O'Brien says he was illegally dismissed insofar as the Prison Service procedures for dismissal were not complied with. I understand that O'Brien has never been provided with an official dismissal notice, despite multiple requests for same. O'Brien has worked tirelessly to get full records of what happened on the day. This would include the shooting incident and the promise of a medal. All requests for information have been refused with the replies stating that they fell outside freedom of information legislation. Much of what O'Brien says has been corroborated, which is the reason I bring it to the House, by none other than Martin Ferris, the former Sinn Féin Deputy for Kerry.