asked the Minister for Justice if a drug pusher (details supplied) who was recently sentenced to serve seven years in prison will serve his sentence on the same basis as other persons convicted for similar offences; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Prison Sentence.
5.
I take it that in raising this question the Deputy has in mind the physical condition of the offender referred to. I have no doubt that this factor would have been taken into account by the court in imposing sentence. Accordingly, I do not regard it as having a bearing on the length of sentence the offender can expect to serve and, in this respect, the offender will be treated on the same basis as other offenders who have received similar sentences. As regards the physical needs of the offender, appropriate facilities are being provided at the prison as is the practice in cases of this nature.
I thank the Minister for his reply. I appreciate that it is an unusual question but there were strong rumours to the effect that this person had been sentenced previously and he had been released within weeks of having been sentenced because of his physical condition.
The Deputy and the House will understand that the Minister for Justice has no say whatsoever in what the decision of the court is in any case.
It was not the court that released him.
All the factors of a case are looked at at the time. My responsibility is to see to it that the prisoner is facilitated as he should be while in prison and that I intend doing.