Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 5

Ceisteanna — Questions Written Answers. - Prisoner's Clothing Loss.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

17 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, on the transfer of a prisoner (details supplied) in Dublin 7 from Shelton Abbey to Mountjoy Jail, all his clothing was mislaid; if he will outline the inquiries that have been instituted to locate the clothing; whether they have now been located; if so if they have been returned to the prisoner; if not, if he will outline the steps that are being taken to replace the clothing with suitable alternatives or to compensate the prisoner for the loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

Persons in custody in Shelton Abbey, which is an open centre, have the choice of taking responsibility for their own personal property by keeping it in their rooms or alternatively having it placed in a locker room under the governor's control. In this instance, the person in question chose to keep the property in his room and signed a statement accepting responsibility for it. In the circumstances, no responsibility can be accepted by the governor for any missing property. The offender's mother was informed of the position in writing by the governor on 18 September 1991.