Vol. 476 No. 5
215 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice whether a person (details supplied), who was sentenced to prison for angel dust convictions, served 19 days in jail rather than pay £39,000 in fines; if so, if this is in proportion to and consistent with other fines; if her attention has been drawn to concerns from the public regarding the outcome of this case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7577/97]
I can inform the Deputy that the imposition of the penalty in any case is a matter for the presiding judge and is one in which I have no function. I understand that the person concerned was fined a total of £39,000, i.e. £1,000 for each of 39 offences, being the maximum fine which the judge could impose in accordance with the law, or 30 days imprisonment in default of payment. I am informed that the full sentence of 30 days in default of payment was served, not 19 as the Deputy says in his question.
