Pat Buckley
Question:
912. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department was notified of a hunger strike or protest in Cork prison in July 2013 by the Prison Service; if an official complaint was made known to the governor at the time; the action taken by the governor as a result of these complaints; if there was an investigation into these claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14857/20]
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Following the provision of further information by the Deputy, I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that it is conducting a search of records dating to 2013, to establish whether there was an incident of the type referred to and any other information in that regard.
I will write directly to the Deputy as soon as possible, once the results of that search of records are available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 50
I refer to your Parliamentary Question Number 912 for written answer on Tuesday 14 July 2020, where you asked if the "Department was notified of a hunger strike or protest in Cork prison in July 2013 by the Prison Service; if an official complaint was made known to the Governor at the time; the action taken by the Governor as a result of these complaints; if there was an investigation into these claims; …..”
You will recall that the question was deferred at the time, as the information requested was not readily available and required a manual examination of records (including electronic records) in Cork Prison. Confirmation was also received from you regarding the identity of the prisoner concerned.
I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that they have completed a manual search for records relating to the prisoner in Cork Prison and they have been unable to locate a prison file. From the information which is available, I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the individual concerned served two short periods in custody in 2013.
The individual concerned was held in custody in Cork Prison from 1 April 2013 to 12 April 2013 (12 days). On 3 April 2013, the prisoner requested staff to inform the Governor that he had commenced hunger strike. Records also indicate that he remained on hunger strike (food and fluid) until he was removed to Cork University Hospital (A&E Department) for review on 7 April 2013. The prisoner then returned from hospital having terminated his hunger strike and was released from custody on 12 April 2013. He was recommitted on 28 July 2013 and released on 10 August 2013 (14 days).
I am informed by the Irish Prison Service that there are no records available which would indicate that the person concerned made any form of complaint to the Governor of Cork Prison during either period in custody.
I trust this describes and clarifies the situation.
Question No. 913 answered with Question No. 889.
