merrion street

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Mr. Alan Shatter T.D. today published the Report by the Inspector of Prisons of his second follow up Inspection of Limerick Prison.

The Inspector's initial report had raised a number of serious issues relating to Limerick Prison including overcrowding and poor conditions which required to be addressed. The Director General of the Irish Prison Service had put an Action Plan in place for Limerick Prison and a number of the issues had already been addressed on the publication of the report.

The Minister thanked the Inspector for his latest report and was pleased to note that progress had been maintained in Limerick Prison since the Inspector's last report. In particular, the Inspector commented favourably on the improvements made including replacement of broken windows, new toilets installed in the D Division where the area was clean as were all wash/slop out areas in the A and B Divisions. The A and B Yards were also clean, toilets were working and those areas which needed painting had been painted. The C and D Yards were also clean.

Minister Shatter said "I am particularly pleased to note that many of the deficiencies previously identified by the Inspector are being addressed and substantial progress is being made. I would like to compliment management and staff of Limerick Prison for the improvements to date and look forward to further progress being made to address the remaining outstanding issues."

The Minister looks forward to the Inspector’s further follow up inspection report in May, 2012.

The report, along with previous reports, are available on the Department's website www.justice.ie