Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 5

Written Answers. - Prison Service.

Michael D. Higgins

Question:

48 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the circumstances of the disturbances in Portlaoise Prison which led to the hospitalisation of a prisoner and a number of prison officers. [32083/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

On Friday 23 November, 30 so-called Real IRA prisoners in Portlaoise Prison informed the governor that they would not go into their cells at lock up time and that this protest would continue on Saturday and Sunday nights. They stated that the protest was to highlight the issue of compassionate parole. They indicated to the governor, when he informed them that he would have to move them to their cells, that they would resist with force any attempts to do so. They were also joined on their protest by ten prisoners claiming INLA affiliations.

At 8.45 a.m. on Saturday, 24 November, a control and restraint team from the Prison Service, monitored by independent Garda witnesses, moved the prisoners back to their cells. The officers were unarmed, no batons had been issued, and all equipment issued was protective. One prisoner required removal to hospital as a precaution and was later discharged. Four prison officers were injured and also taken to hospital but later discharged.

It is impossible to maintain order and control in a prison if prisoners do not go to their cells at the set times. No prison system in the world could tolerate a situation where prisoners refused to obey the legitimate orders of staff. In particular, by refusing to go into their cells on that night and indeed for the next two nights as well, and in stating that they would resist with force any attempts to put them into their cells, they were, in effect, attempting to take control of the landing and issuing a direct challenge to the authority of the prison governor. This is a situation that simply could not be allowed to continue and, in my view, the response by the prison authorities was proportionate, measured and appropriate.