Vol. 530 No. 1
71 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of occasions on which persons (details supplied) have been allowed out of prison by way of temporary release or otherwise; the number of days of such release in each case; and the compassionate grounds on which any such release or releases were based. [3273/01]
asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of occasions on which those convicted of offences relating to the death of a person (details supplied) have been allowed out of prison by way of temporary release or otherwise; the number of days of such release in each case; and the compassionate grounds on which any such release or releases were based. [26268/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 71 and 153 together.
Initially I would like to reiterate to the House my revulsion at the callous killing of Detective Garda Gerry McCabe. I fully understand it is very difficult for his family and friends to come to terms with such a loss and can appreciate they and many other members of the public are opposed to the idea that the prisoners convicted in relation to his death are benefiting from what may be perceived in some quarters as concessions.
However, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform it is my responsibility to consider all applications for temporary release while trying to strike a balance between the need for persons sentenced by the courts to serve their debt to society and the need to be as understanding and humane as possible in relation to the granting of such temporary releases.
With this in mind I can confirm that I approved short periods of temporary release to four of the prisoners involved. Each period of release, which consisted of three overnights in each case, were granted for valid compassionate reasons. One of the prisoners referred to received a period of temporary release in September 2000. Two of the prisoners were granted compassionate temporary release in October of last year with one of these prisoners receiving an additional period of temporary release last month. A fourth prisoner received temporary release in December 2000 and the other prisoner convicted in relation to this crime has received no temporary release to date.
I can assure the House that each application for temporary release was considered in accordance with the normal criteria that apply in such cases.
