Vol. 472 No. 6
169 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Justice whether her attention has been drawn to an investigation in her Department into a reported break-in at Wheatfield Prison on or around 11 November 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23793/96]
I am aware of the matter referred to in the Deputy's question and I would like to place on the record that there was no such break-in at Wheatfield place of detention.
On the morning of 12 November 1996, the gate leading to the vacant site adjoining the existing prison was discovered to be open. Cutting equipment was not used to cut a hole in the gate and internal gates between the site and the prison next to it were not tampered with. This unguarded site is the location for the proposed new remand centre. The site and the actual prison itself were thoroughly searched on 12 November 1996 and nothing was found. There is nothing at all to suggest that the perimeter of the prison itself — as distinct from the vacant adjoining site — was breached and security was not compromised in any way.
There were gale force winds on the night of 11-12 November 1996 and it is possible that the gate to the vacant site was pushed in by the wind and not by an intruder. The gate has since been secured. The vacant site and its gate will clearly be greatly altered when the new remand prison is built and in the meantime the gate will be kept secure.
