asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will take steps to assist an Irish citizen (details supplied) in prison in Great Britain who was awarded £750 damages before Christmas in a County Court in Great Britain for assault by four prison officers in Walton Jail but who, subsequent to the court case, was taken back to Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight, where he is denied rights of association with other prisoners, the right of exercise and was locked in his cell on his own over Christmas; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this person has been refused the right to correspond with the MP for his constituency and has been denied medical treatment of a serious illness while in prison; and if he will arrange to have the Irish Embassy in London petition the Home Office for the release of this person on humanitarian grounds.
Written Answers. - Irish Citizen in British Prison.
The individual concerned is serving an eight year sentence in connection with a robbery committed in 1984 and a second six years for false imprisonment of a prison warder. During the past three years the Irish Embassy in London has had extensive contacts on various aspects of the case with the prisoner himself, with his legal representatives, and with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The prisoner has had serious medical problems resulting in an operation in 1986, and the Embassy has over the years made representations on his behalf to ensure that he is given proper medical attention and care.
As regards the claim that he has been denied the rights mentioned in the question the prisoner has not previously brought this to the attention of the Embassy. The Embassy has now raised these questions with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and is awaiting a response. When this is received I shall consider the matter and contact the Deputy. I shall then also consider the matter of humanitarian release raised by the Deputy. However as the Deputy will be aware any such approach would have to take account of all the circumstances of the case.