asked the Minister for Justice if any prisoners under the age of 15 years are at present being held in Mountjoy; and if so, how many.
37.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mountjoy Prisoners.
36.
asked the Minister for Justice the number, if any, of prisoners under the age of 16 years who were in Mountjoy Prison during the recent riot; and if any of these were involved in the disturbances.
38.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the method of investigation that is pursued in ascertaining the correct age of prisoners committed to Mountjoy Prison; the instances where these investigations revealed a wrong age; and if he is satisfied with the present procedures for ascertaining the correct age of committed prisoners.
39.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons under the age of 16 years held in Mountjoy Prison in the year ended 31st May, 1972; of these, the number of (a) boys, (b) girls and (c) the number held for periods in excess of one month.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I will take Questions Nos. 36 to 39 together.
The principal reason the ages of prisoners are significant is that persons under 15 years of age may not be committed to prison and persons between 15 years and 17 years of age may be committed to prison only if they are certified to be unruly or depraved.
Under section 123 of the Children Act, 1908, it is a matter for the court to establish in such manner as it thinks fit the age of a person who appears to it to be under 17 and it is not a matter for me to comment on how it discharges its duty. The governor is both authorised and required by law to accept prisoners committed by court order.
There are no persons under 15 years of age in custody in Mountjoy Prison. There were three persons under 16 years of age in custody in Mountjoy Prison on the night of 18th/19th May, 1972, when a riot occurred in the prison. Garda investigations are proceeding in regard to the disturbances which took place, criminal proceedings are likely to be instituted and it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.
In the 12-month period ended 31st May, 1972, a total of 49 boys and 16 girls under 16 were committed to Mountjoy Prison either on remand, awaiting trial or on conviction. Of these seven boys and three girls were in custody for longer than one month.