Latest news with #ArbourHill
BreakingNews.ie
06-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Closure of Arbour Hill prison recommended by group assessing prison capacity needs
The closure of the country's main prison for housing sex offenders has been recommended as a top priority by a group established to advise the Government on future prison capacity needs. A report by the group has called for the decommissioning of the prison at Arbour Hill in Dublin, which currently houses around 135 long-term prisoners, over the coming decade, although it accepted that it would require 'a suitable replacement facility.' Advertisement It has also recommended that priority should also be given to returning Mountjoy Prison to single-cell occupancy which would require around 210 prisoners currently housed in shared cells to be accommodated elsewhere. Given problems with overcrowding across the country's prison network, the group urged the Government to urgently explore opportunities to accelerate existing plans for large-scale capital projects and recommended fast-tracking such developments by seeking exemptions from normal funding timescales. It said consideration should be given to prioritising further development of Portlaoise Prison as well as the proposed expansion of the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. The report noted that there was potential for new prison facilities at Thornton Hall in north Dublin and the redevelopment of the old Cork Prison site. Advertisement On Arbour Hill, the report said that despite its drug-free status and low level of assaults, the age of the prison and the fact that the majority of its buildings are protected structures meant the possibilities for future development were 'extremely limited.' It noted that the prison has a mix of single and double occupancy cells and although in-cell toilet facilities have been provided, they are not partitioned. The report revealed that the country's prisons were operating at 12 per cent above capacity at the start of 2025, despite some 300 extra prison spaces having been added in recent years. It also observed that the number of assaults on prisoners by other inmates rose by 31 per cent last year against a background of overcrowding in Irish prisons. Advertisement The highest number of people ever in prisons to date was reached on April 15th, 2025, when the prison population was recorded at 5,394 including 276 women. The official prison capacity at the end of 2024 was 4,531, while it is estimated the prison population is likely to exceed 6,000 by 2035. The report observed that some of the worst overcrowding is in the two female prisons with the Dóchas Centre in Mountjoy operating at 32 per cent above capacity. However, the female prison in Limerick is the most overcrowded facility in the network of prisons at 48 per cent above capacity. Advertisement For that reason, it recommended that consideration be given to increasing capacity at the two female prisons together with tailored initiatives to support women in the community. The report acknowledged that overcrowding in prisons poses a variety or risks including increased violence and assaults on staff and other prisoners and higher levels of contraband as well as unstructured early releases. It said the Irish Prison Service's current capital plan had the potential to accommodate 1,100 additional prisoners between 2024 and 2030 if fully funded with 230 expected to be available by the end of the current year. If fully implemented, it means the prison system will have capacity for 5,614 prisoners by 2030 if all existing prisons remain in use. Advertisement The group has also called for a pilot project to examine the possibility of housing being built on existing prison lands or close to prisons given the very significant challenges identified by released prisoners finding accommodation and the related impact on recidivism levels. Other recommendations include a call for further consideration to be given to the potential requirement for an additional remand facility given the numbers on remand have been rising at a faster rate than the general prison population and the limited capacity to increase numbers at the main remand facility at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin. The group also proposed the establishment of a dedicated medical unit in Mountjoy as well as examining the potential of Mountjoy to pilot a day prison model While the report acknowledged that work was already underway to create additional facilities for elderly prisoners and those with additional medical care needs, the group said it held the strong view that some prisoners should not be kept in a prisoner environment and should be moved to appropriate community facilities. Figures show the annual cost of housing a prisoner was just over €99,000 last year with each additional 100 prisoners estimated at approximately €10 million annually. The group was established in July 2024 by former Justice Minister, Helen McEntee to examine the infrastructural needs of Ireland's prison system out to 2035. While the report said it was 'notoriously difficult' to predict the size of prison populations, it noted that an increase in violent and drug-related crimes meant more prisoners require addictions and mental health support with the need for cross-departmental approaches to address such challenges. It stressed that putting people in prison is an expensive option and alternatives exist which are 'both more cost effective and provide better and more sustainable outcomes.'
Irish Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
President Michael D Higgins leads tribute to 1916 leaders at annual State Commemoration
President Michael D Higgins has led the State's annual commemoration of the Easter Rising by laying a wreath to commemorate those who died in 1916 at Arbour Hill, where many of the executed leaders were buried. The commemoration at Arbour Hill is the longest-running State ceremony to commemorate the Rising. This year marks the 101st holding of the ceremony, which began in 1923, shortly after the end of the Civil War . The ceremony was also attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin , Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris, and many members of the Cabinet. READ MORE The ceremony began with Requiem Mass at the Church of the Sacred Heart, which is situated on the site, as well as a ceremony at the grave of the 1916 Leaders. The President laid a wreath to commemorate all who died in the Easter Rising. Speaking after the event, Mr Harris said: 'Today marks over 100 years of this State Commemoration of the Arbour Hill Ceremony as we remember those who died for Ireland in 1916 and in particular, those 14 executed leaders of 1916 who are buried here at Arbour Hill. 'It is an honour and privilege for me, as Minister for Defence, to host this traditional commemorative event in the company of relatives of the executed leaders,' he said. The ceremony was attended by over 400 people, including members of the Oireachtas; the Council of State; the Judiciary; religious leaders from all denominations; and relatives of the leaders and others who fought in 1916. The 27th Infantry Battalion from Dundalk Barracks provided the guard of honour. Among those in attendance was Fr Paul Murphy , the army chaplain who was stabbed by a teenage boy as he drove to the entrance of Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks in Galway. The attacker, then aged 16, was recently sentenced to eight years detention after pleading guilty to the attempted murder of Fr Murphy.
Irish Examiner
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Sinn Féin plays down running son of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane as presidential candidate
Sinn Féin has played down the choice of North Belfast MP John Finucane as its Dublin Easter commemoration speaker, with sources saying it does not hint towards him being the party's nominee for the presidency later this year. Mr Finucane, son of the murdered solicitor Pat Finucane, has been touted as a potential pick by Sinn Féin to contest October's election. However, party sources have said he is unlikely to run and his appearance at Sunday's event was merely the party "rotating" speakers from year to year. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald addressed the party's annual Easter Rising commemoration in Carrickmore in Tyrone, having done the Arbour Hill commemoration last year. Sources within the party said there was not yet any decision on who, or even if, the party would put forward a nominee to succeed Michael D Higgins later this year. There had been strong speculation linking Sinn Féin with the GAA President Jarlath Burns, but he ruled out such a move in February. 'Let me do that very clearly, that is not on my radar,' said Mr Burns. 'My plan when I finish this job is to go back to St Paul's, Bessbrook, to be principal of the school. That's the place I love, the place I miss, even though this is the best job you could possibly have, that's where I belong, that's where I belong anyway.' There has been some speculation Sinn Féin would back a combined left-wing platform candidate, with Independent senator Frances Black and Independent TD Catherine Connolly touted as possible names. Within Sinn Féin, however, there are some who say they would prefer not to back Ms Black, with some feeling she had become "too close" with the coalition parties in the lead-up to last year's general election in relation to her Occupied Territories Bill. Others in the party feel the key priority for any combined platform is ensuring whoever is nominated can win. In Fianna Fáil, MEP Barry Andrews has emerged as a potential candidate. Picture: Gareth Chaney Within the coalition, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael sources have privately ruled out running a combined candidate, with Fine Gael in particular keen to win the office for the first time. Within that party, former European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness and former GAA president and current Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly are touted as potential candidates, with both said to be interested in a run. In Fianna Fáil, MEP Barry Andrews has emerged as a potential candidate, though his colleague Cynthia Ní Mhurchú told RTÉ she was focused on her role and has not courted any support for a bid. Fellow Fianna Fáil MEP Barry Cowen last week said some parties had become "sidetracked" by the issue. "I think I'm one of the few MEPs that is totally committed to the role to which I was elected without being distracted by wanting to be considered for that role," he joked. To receive a nomination, prospective candidates are required to be nominated by 20 members of the Oireachtas, or nominated by four local authorities. To be eligible, they must be an Irish citizen and have reached the age of 35. Former MMA fighter Conor McGregor has repeatedly expressed a desire to run for the presidency, but his path to a nomination appears unlikely, with both Oireachtas members and councillors across the board in recent weeks giving short shrift to the idea.
