asked the Minister for Justice the basis on which meals are supplied to persons in police custody in the Dublin Metropolitan area.
Written Answers. - Meals for People in Custody.
371.
Meals are supplied at State expense to persons in Garda custody but a person may, if he wishes and if it is practicable, have meals of his own choice supplied at his own expense. In the case of the Bridewell station in Dublin there are standing arrangements with a caterer for the supply of meals. In the case of other stations in the Dublin Metropolitan area arrangements are made as and when required for the supply of meals by local caterers.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the practice is to supply a meal if the period of custody extends over normal meal times but that the Garda also supply meals outside normal meal times in special circumstances even though the person may be in custody for only a short period — for example, it might be obvious from the person's condition that he was in need of a meal.
Every person taken into Garda custody is given a copy of a notice entitled "Information for Persons in Custody" which includes a paragraph to the effect that refreshments are available free of charge.