asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that the Visiting Committee or doctor in Mountjoy Jail directed that the doors of the cell of two prisoners, namely, George Mooney and Seán McGuinness, should be left open during certain hours, and that the said doors have been kept closed during these hours by the prison authorities, and that the prisoners, in consequence, broke their windows for the purpose of ventilation and, further, is the Minister aware that the said prisoners were placed in straight jackets or muffs or other prison device, and that Seán McGuinness has subsequently been spitting blood; and what he proposes to do in the matter.
Private Notice Question. - Treatment of Mountjoy Prisoners.
I am aware that the two prisoners mentioned were allowed, as a privilege, to have their cell doors open during the greater part of the day. They abused that privilege by leaving their cells without permission and forcing their way into cells occupied by other prisoners. The privilege was accordingly withdrawn. I am aware that following the withdrawal of this privilege the prisoners broke the windows of their cells, but the suggestion that this was done by them for the purpose of ventilation is not correct: the ventilation with the cell door closed is quite adequate and is, in fact, the normal ventilation of the cell. I am also aware that, following the breaking of the windows, the prisoners' hands were secured in muffs so as to make it impossible for them to do further damage. I am not aware that the prisoner McGuinness has subsequently been spitting blood.
Is the Minister aware that both these prisoners are, or either of them, is now on hunger strike?
I am aware that they both are.
I wish to raise this matter on the motion for the adjournment this evening.