asked the Minister for Justice if he will investigate allegations that a prisoner (details supplied) was assaulted by prison officers in Cork prison; the reason the prisoner's family was denied access to him on Monday, 17 November 1986; and if the prisoner can be transferred to Arbour Hill prison to allow more ready access to his family.
Written Answers. - Prisoner's Transfer Request.
163.
The allegations that the offender was assaulted by staff at Cork prison have been investigated and the reports available to me indicate that no such assault took place.
The offender was not denied access to his family at the prison on Monday, 17 November 1986. However during the course of a visit on that date with members of his family, they persisted despite repeated warnings, in ignoring directions of the officer supervising the visit contrary to the Rules for the Government of Prisons, 1947, and the General Prison Regulations. The visit was then terminated and prison staff were obliged to remove the offender from the visiting area.
I am not prepared to transfer the offendeer to Arbour Hill prison at this time.