Vol. 489 No. 3
224 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the decision to return a person (details supplied) from hospital to Limerick Prison was taken by the medical authorities in the hospital, the prison authorities or the gardaí. [7853/98]
225 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason a person (details supplied) has not been offered compassionate parole in view of her previous good character which makes it highly unlikely that she will reoffend. [7854/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 224 and 225 together.
It is normal practice not to comment on the case of an individual prisoner. I believe that it may be helpful in terms of explaining matters, however, if I were to mention that the prisoner referred to by the Deputy was convicted in the Special Criminal Court of a firearms offence and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment. The prisoner was committed on 18 January 1998 and is not due for release with normal remission until 19 July 2000. Having considered this case in some detail I am not prepared to grant any period of temporary release at this stage. The Deputy may wish to note that a prisoner admitted to hospital can only be returned to prison having been discharged by the hospital authorities.
