Written answers

Wednesday, 23 November 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Prisoner Transfers

9:00 pm

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 109: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a prisoner (details supplied) in County Longford who was transferred from Castlerea Prison to Wheatfield Prison after they had instituted legal action against the State whose agents had alleged that they had been involved with republican paramilitaries; if the prisoner has been refused privileges and entitlements as a result; if the allegations still stand due to those allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35704/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the person referred to by the Deputy was transferred from Castlerea Prison to Wheatfield Prison in order to allow him access to the therapeutic services available there. It is, of course, open to this person to apply for a return to Castlerea Prison. I understand, however, that no such application was ever received.

I am also informed that this prisoner is involved in a number of legal actions against the State; that he has appealed an unsuccessful habeas corpus application to the Supreme Court and that he has a further case pending before the High Court relating to sanctions imposed by the governor of Wheatfield Prison following a breach of prison discipline.

There is no question that any privileges or entitlements were refused or withdrawn from any prisoner simply because he or she availed of his or her constitutional right to take issues up in the courts. I categorically reject any suggestion that this occurred in this case. I can inform the Deputy that my position on subversive prisoners is that persons serving prison sentences who are considered to be members of the Real IRA are held in a maximum security environment, that is, Portlaoise Prison. The person referred to was never detained in such a setting.

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