Vol. 463 No. 1
99 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Justice the way in which the recent fire started in the medical unit, Mountjoy Prison, Dublin 7; if prison officials and prisoners were injured in the fire; and, if so, if this was facilitated by the design of the building or any inadequacy in fire precaution measures. [5859/96]
The fire which occurred in the health care unit, Mountjoy on the night of 18 December 1995 was caused by an inmate of the prison intentionally starting a fire in his cell. As a result of the fire 13 prison officers and six prisoners were taken to the hospital. Two officers and four prisoners were detained overnight. No staff or prisoners were seriously injured.
The modern health care unit of which construction was completed in 1993 conformed fully with health and safety standards and regulations at that time. Arising from recent fire vulnerability studies conducted in all prisons a programme of improved fire safety measures was identified and is being implemented. In the case of the health care unit, the major element of the proposed improvements was the installation of a mechanical smoke evacuation system. Completed tenders for the installation had been received on 17 November and were being professionally evaluated at the time of the fire. Installation is now proceeding.
