Catherine Murphy
Ceist:694. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the status of current investigations that were suspended in the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26382/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 September 2020
Ceisteanna (694)
Freagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that it has not been possible in the timeframe available to collate the information sought, as this entails a manual check of individual records. I will revert to the Deputy as soon as this information has been compiled.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
The Irish Prison Service has reviewed all areas carrying out investigations and has informed me that there is one Category A complaint investigation which is currently suspended. You will be aware that under the prisoner complaints process a Category A complaint refers to a complaint of assault, harassment or ill-treatment made by a prisoner against a staff member and such investigations are carried out by an independent investigator. I am advised that the investigator in this case was informed on the 19 August 2020, that the complainant had been hospitalised with a terminal illness resulting in the suspension of the investigation. There are no other investigations suspended at this time.