asked the Minister for Justice the investigations which have been carried out into the circumstances of the death of a person (details supplied) in Mountjoy Prison on April 18; the results of any such investigation; if any review is planned of the procedures for considering applications for compassionate parole to attend family funerals in the light of this death; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Death of Mountjoy Prisoner.
33.
As an inquest is to be held into the death of the person referred to by the Deputy, he will appreciate that I am constrained in what I can say about the matter.
The person referred to was committed to Mountjoy Prison on 27 March, 1988 to serve various sentences, totalling 21 months. Allowing for normal remission he was due for release on 17 July, 1989. On 30 March, 1988 he appeared before Dundalk District Court on a further charge and was remanded in custody without the option of bail. His mother died on the following day. However as the offender was on remand in relation to the further charge I would not have had the power to authorise any form of compassionate release in this case.
In relation to cases where I do have power to authorise compassionate releases for the purpose of attending funerals of close family members, I can assure the Deputy that a sympathetic view is taken. There can, however, be cases where it is judged that the risk posed to the community by a particular release is too great. I have no plans for any review of the procedures for considering applications for compassionate release.