Green Party condemns Justice Minister's vindictive attack on Prisons Inspector

Press Release: Justice 28 August 2006

Links to: All Press Releases 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Dún Laoghaire, Environment, Justice and Latest Press Releases

28 August 2006

Green Party condemns Justice Minister's vindictive attack on Prison Inspector

The Green Party has condemned the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell TD for his vindictive comments regarding the Inspector of Prisons Justice Dermot Kinlen. Speaking yesterday the Minister for Justice suggested that Justice Kinlen had "private agendas" in his role as Prisons Inspector and that these agendas are driven by monetary concerns.

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said: "I am appalled at the Minister's comments yesterday in relation to the Inspector of Prisons Justice Kinlen. To raise the private issue of Justice Kinlen's pension entitlements in the public domain in this manner was entirely inappropriate for a Minister for Justice.

"It is unacceptable for the Minister to treat a Government appointed official with such contempt. The Minister is clearly engaging in this war of words in order to draw attention from the fact that he has done nothing to tackle the growing crisis in our prisons.

"The time has come for action to address the problems of recidivism, overcrowding, and mental health in the Irish Prison Service. The Minister must present his plans to deal with the crisis in the Irish Prison system without further delay," concluded Deputy Cuffe.

Click here to read other press releases from Ciarán on this issue