Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 6

Written Answers. - Contempt of Court Committal.

Liz O'Donnell

Question:

129 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the imprisonment of a woman (details supplied); if her attention has further been drawn to her age, state of health and the circumstances and appropriateness of her imprisonment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21461/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers.

This woman was committed to Mountjoy Prison on 31 October last for failing to comply with a court order made in the context of a dispute between neighbours over a boundary wall. I understand that the committal order was issued by the Circuit Civil Court and that the matter had been the subject of at least one earlier court hearing. I do not have the authority to intervene in a contempt of court committal of this type. A person is committed to the charge of the Governor until such time as the contempt is purged.

The woman referred to by the Deputy was attended by a medical officer in the prison. The General Prison Regulations, 1953 stipulate that "when the medical officer considers the life of a contempt of court prisoner to be endangered by confinement, a report of the fact shall at once be made direct to the court under whose order such a prisoner is confined." In this case the medical officer did not make such a report.

Furthermore, I can assure the Deputy that all relevant matters, including the age and state of health of the person in custody, are borne in mind by prison staff in their daily management and care of prisoners, all of whom have access to a wide range of medical and related facilities.