asked the Minister for Defence (a) the number of military personnel who have been disciplined by military courts in each of the last five years; (b) the number of military personnel imprisoned in each year; (c) the number and locations of military prisons; (d) if military personnel are still held on Spike Island and, if so, if he will give the number and details of their sentences; and (e) when "B" wing military detention barracks in the Curragh Camp was built, its purpose, present use and accommodation available.
Written Answers. - Imprisonment of Military Personnel.
255.
Following is the information sought:
(a) The number of military personnel tried by court-martial in each of the last five years is as follows:
|
Year |
1976 |
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
1980 |
|
Number |
137 |
183 |
137 |
119 |
140 |
Information in relation to the numbers in respect of whom charges were disposed of summarily by their commanding officers is not readily available.
(b) The number of military personnel who underwent a sentence of military detention in each of the last five years is as follows:
|
Year |
1976 |
1977 |
1978 |
1979 |
1980 |
|
Number |
200 |
206 |
140 |
138 |
122 |
The numbers sentenced to imprisonment in these years were 1977—2; and 1979—1.
Note—The numbers who underwent detention in each year include those in respect of whom charges were disposed of summarily as well as those sentenced by court-martial.
(c) There are at present two military detention barracks, viz. the military detention barracks, Spike Island, and the military detention barracks, Curragh Camp. The latter is used exclusively to accommodate civilian prisoners in military custody.
(d) There are at present eight military personnel in detention in the military detention barracks, Spike Island. Details of their sentences are as follows:
|
No. of prisoners |
Length of sentence |
|
1 |
9 months |
|
2 |
3 months |
|
1 |
21 days |
|
3 |
14 days |
|
1 |
10 days |
(e) Between 1974 and 1976 portion of Plunkett Barracks, Curragh Camp, was adapted so as to serve, if needed, as reserve prison accommodation. The buildings, which could cater for up to 90 prisoners, have not been used as a prison. The premises are being used for normal military purposes but could readily be made available for use as prison accommodation if the need arose.