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SOME 428 PRISONERS failed to return after being granted temporary release from 1 January 2009 until 7 November last.
So far this year, 146 prisoners have not returned to jail – more than double last year’s figure of 61.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald revealed the figures in the Dáil this week when answering a parliamentary question asked by Fine Gael TD Brian Walsh.
Fitzgerald said that “processes are in place in the Irish Prison Service to inform An Garda Síochána when prisoners become unlawfully at large and the gardaí have the power to detain, arrest, and return such persons to prison”.
A spokesperson for the Prison Service said that there are “no definitive reasons” for the jump in numbers of prisoners not returning from temporary leave in 2014.
He added that some of the 428 prisoners were tracked down or brought in by family members, but could not put a figure on how many.
The majority of people (46) who failed to return from temporary release so far this year were serving sentences for theft and related offences.
Seven people who were in prison for attempted murder or threats of murder didn’t return as scheduled, and neither did ten people who were doing time for drug-related offences.
Here’s a breakdown of the prisoners who failed to return from temporary release since 2009:
*to 7 November 2014
In October 2012, the Director General of the Irish Prison Service established a project team to examine how the organisation might reduce the number of prisoners who are unlawfully at large from custody.
Fitzgerald said that the team would continue to work closely with An Garda Síochána and the Department of Social Protection in this regard.
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Of course thy will . Talk shit for a few weeks . And then Bury it . And we Joe soap gets screwed again
Yes the madness goes on there’s no jail waiting for any of these. Accountability will go out the window white collar crime at its best but a non tv licence payer will go to jail Oh what a country.
Accountability!!!! Your having a laugh
As if they already did not now it was already happening they all drink from the same source
This man’s Sr name should be MAD . . Howling mad . If he thinks we believe any thing Wil come of this . . In future keep the money in your pocket no more teddy bears or pins for me Fu@k them greedy ba@@ards
Howlin: Pleeeeeeeeease attend the PAC meeting….
Conlon: No
Howlin: ah go on pleeeeeeeeease..
Conlon: No
Howlin: Pleeeeease….I’ll be your best friend?
Conlon: No
Howlin: Ah you’re mean!
Power if Compellability? Is that the same as insisting or even asking really really really nicely?
He wouldn’t have refused unless advised to by an extremely well paid solicitor.
If he has no legal obligation to explain his actions…..and he hasn’t actually broken any laws, why would he appear?
Also……if this was a legal matter, we wouldn’t be allowed to comment!
Another of the “elite” that will get off scot free
They’ll get to the bottom of it and then what will be done? Precisely nothing!
There would be very little need for these charities if low income families and individuals were given the basic essentials of life. I am referring to the exorbitant cost of electricity, and the soon to be introduced water charges. Ireland has a surplus supply of electricity and plans are afoot to export electricity to the U.K. Why should low income families have to use their childrens allowance to pay for those utilities. In addition the USC supplement must be abolished in order to assist working people. I know this post will elicit howls of rage from those who believe that the Banksters and their Shareholders of Ireland Inc are more deserving of the taxpayers largesse than low income families and individuals who are finding it hard to pay the bills.
Howl all you want to.
This is where I stand.
1 .Free electricity and water for low income families and individuals.
2.Abolition of USC from workers pay.
I’ll take a few boxes of that free electricity stuff please…
an oireachtas committee cant hold individuals accountable they can only investigate… then report those findings back to the oireacthas where its left in their hands. should be interesting what happens… probably nothing though.
Howlin said that the PAC is “robust” and “they normally get to the bottom of things” adding that they will “pursue this until they get the full facts”……and then they will dial 999……..ya,dream on!!!!!
I am sure normal things will have nothing to do with what the public needs to know. With regards to the Mr. Conlons position how can you bolt so fast as to advise on investigating other people.
Minister for reform, dont make me laugh, i have not seen any reform, the rich get away with bloody murder while the government goes after the little people all the time, “they normally get to the bottom of things” yeah sure, and how much will it cost and how long will it take. by the way Howlin, whats your job ?, is it not to ensure this sort of shite doesnt happen, or to deflect responsibility when someone gets caught, be gone labour and take your turncoats with you.
Minister Howlin will you have a word with Del Boy rabbitte and tell him to stop making an ejit of himself, he was trying to be funny about Colm Keavney joining FF when he jumped from 3 parties himself along With Gilmore.
have your say