Vol. 468 No. 4
580 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the reason three children (details supplied) in Dublin 7, aged eight and nine years, were locked in a cell in Store Street Garda Station, Dublin 1, for several hours on 2 July 1996; her views on whether this is appropriate treatment of young children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15148/96]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that three children were arrested on 2 July for shoplifting and brought to Store Street Garda Station. It was not possible to place them in the detention room which is used for the detention of persons of their age as it was being painted at the time. Nor was it practical, because of their behaviour, to keep them in the public office. The children were placed in a cell under the supervision of a female garda, and the door of the cell was kept open at all times. After 45 minutes, one of the children was released into the custody of her mother. The other two children, having spent 65 minutes in the unlocked cell, were taken to the public office to await the arrival of their mother who arrived three hours and forty minutes later. It is important to state that the children were detained in the unlocked cell for the minimum time necessary and, while there, were supervised at all times.
