Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 4

Written Answers - Prison Medical Service.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

244 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will investigate the circumstances under which a person (details supplied) in County Waterford was treated in Cork Prison in recent weeks; the reason the prisoner's mother was not allowed to see him when she visited the prison on Thursday, 26 April 2001; if he was examined by the prison doctor in Cork; if so, if the prison doctor's report on both his physical and mental condition will be made available; the reason for his transfer to Wheatfield Prison, Dublin 10, on the weekend of 28 and 29 April 2001; if he was examined by the prison doctor there; if he will issue the findings of the examination; if the authorities in Wheatfield Prison were concerned regarding the condition of the prisoner when he arrived from Cork; and when his family will be allowed to visit him. [12768/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The person concerned is serving a three year prison sentence for a variety of offences, including assault with intent to rob, assault on a garda and the unauthorised taking of a mechanically propelled vehicle. With standard remission he is due for release on 13 April 2002.

On 5 April 2001 he was reported to the governor of Cork Prison for allegedly breaching prison discipline and the matter was dealt with under Rule 68 of the Rules for Government of Prisons, 1947. The governor awarded him a sanction of loss of privileges for two months which included loss of visits for this period. He was refused a visit with his mother on 26 April 2001 for this reason alone. He was subsequently transferred to Wheatfield Place of Detention on 28 April 2001 for routine operational reasons to reallocate cell space.

The Director General of the Prisons Service has informed me that the person referred to has been seen on several occasions by medical staff in both Cork Prison and Wheatfield Place of Detention. I am not at liberty to disclose specific medical details. However, I am informed that his condition is satisfactory and does not present any cause for concern.

The Director General has also informed me that the governor of Wheatfield Place of Detention has restored all privileges and will facilitate visits to this prisoner from family members in the normal way. Visiting times at Wheatfield are from 10 a.m. to 12 noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, inclusive.