asked the Minister for Justice if medical attention which was requested by a prisoner (details supplied) in Portlaoise prison will be made available urgently.
Written Answers. - Medical Attention for Prisoner.
569.
Limerick East): The prisoner has been examined by two dentists, who agree that he needs to have a tooth extracted and that a local anaesthetic would be sufficient.
The prisoner has been insisting that the tooth be extracted under general anaesthetic. Apparently there is no medical reason why this should be done. Facilities for administering a general anaesthetic are not available in the prison and a costly escort would have to be provided if the prisoner were taken to a hospital for the tooth to be extracted under general anaesthetic.
The prisoner will be seeing the visiting dentist again tomorrow and has apparently agreed to have his tooth extracted under local anaesthetic. The prisoner has been given medication to help him cope with any discomfort since he brought the matter to notice.