Vol. 465 No. 8
84 Mr. Lenihan asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the concern of the next-of-kin of a deceased murder victim (details supplied) in County Dublin regarding the temporary release arrangements in respect of a person convicted of the murder; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10666/96]
As a matter of policy and out of deference to the personal feelings of all concerned I prefer not to comment in detail on an individual case of this kind. I want to assure the Deputy, however, that I am deeply conscious of the concerns of all persons bereaved by murder. The vast majority of "lifers" do, however, eventually reach the stage in their sentence where the management of their sentence requires consideration of rehabilitative aspects including such steps as occasional temporary release to attend workshops or educational facilities outside the prison environment. Where this happens in the case of a person convicted of murder, special conditions are attached by me to the grant of temporary release which take into account the genuine concerns of victims.
