asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement in relation to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who alleges that he was detained in prison longer than he should have been; and if he will outline the circumstances in relation to this case.
Written Answers. - Prison Sentence.
31.
On 26 March 1986 the District Court made a committal order against three brothers in respect of a debt of £520.51. A stay of two months was put on the order.
On 29 May 1986 separate warrants were issued against each of the brothers. The amount shown on each of the warrants was the full amount of the debt. The warrants against two of the brothers were executed and both were lodged in Mountjoy Prison on 14 June 1986. They were subsequently transferred to the open prison at Shelton Abbey.
Late in the afternoon of 16 June 1986 the sum of £520.51 was paid to the Governor of Shelton Abbey and one of the brothers was released immediately. Given that there were separate warrants in existence against each brother for the sum of £520.51 it was not clear to the authorities at Shelton Abbey that the payment which had been made discharged both warrants. They therefore attempted to contact the relevant District Court Office for clarification but this did not prove possible until the following morning. At that stage it was confirmed that the payment which had been made discharged both warrants and, accordingly, the other brother was then released.