Joint Committee on Disability Matters to discuss access to justice with representatives from Irish Penal Reform Trust, Mental Health Commission and the Irish Criminal/Civil Justice Disability Network

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 4 between 9:45-12:00. 

The following representatives are due to attend: 

• Fiona Murphy, Director Irish Criminal/Civil Justice Disability Network - Accessing Justice

• Jerry Carroll, Chairman Irish Criminal/Civil Justice Disability Network - Accessing Justice

• Saoirse Brady, Executive Director - Irish Penal Reform Trust - Accessing Justice

• Sarahjane McCreery, Senior Policy & Research Officer - Irish Penal Reform Trust - Accessing Justice

• John Farrelly, CEO, Mental Health Commission - Accessing Justice

• Dr Susan Finnerty , Inspector of Mental Health Services, Mental Health Commission - Accessing Justice  

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Michael Moynihan said: “The Committee looks forward to discussing the topic of access to justice for people with disabilities. Article 12 of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) requires that people with disabilities be accorded equal recognition before the law while UNCRPD Article 13 provides for the effective access to justice. While progress has been made in recent years, people with a mental illness who have been accused or convicted of a criminal offence have unequal access to mental health services compared to those who have not offended. Gaps also remain in the Irish mental health services which lead to people with mental illnesses entering the criminal justice system or prison instead of receiving treatment and care.”

“We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support access to justice from a human and disability rights based perspective.”

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.