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Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Northside jail rates spark ministerial review as prison plans face local opposition
The Minister of State for rural and community development has asked officials in the department to examine the findings of a major Irish Examiner investigation into who is being jailed in Cork and why. Jerry Buttimer said it was 'disconcerting' to read how, despite decades of targeted government investment in areas of the city officially classed as 'disadvantaged,' these areas still account for the highest number of jail terms imposed — and that this needs to be examined. The analysis of almost 1,500 jail terms imposed in Cork courts over the last five years found that seven northside suburbs were in the top 10 for the number of jail terms imposed. These areas align closely with parts of the city classed as 'disadvantaged' or 'very disadvantaged' in the 2022 Pobal Deprivation Index. These areas have higher rates of unemployment and lone parenting, and lower rates of school completion and third-level participation. The Irish Examiner analysis also found that people living on the northside received, on average, longer jail terms than those with an address on the southside. It revealed that homeless people received almost a quarter of the jail sentences handed down in the city courts over five years, and that addiction or substance abuse was cited in almost three-quarters of the cases analysed. Theft, assault, public order, and drugs offences were the most frequently mentioned in the city courts, with men accounting for 87% of all jail terms. Men's sentences were, on average, twice as long as those imposed on women. Mr Buttimer congratulated the Irish Examiner for the investigation, describing it as 'an important piece of work.' Jerry Buttimer said it was 'disconcerting' to read how, despite decades of targeted government investment in areas of the city officially classed as 'disadvantaged,' these areas still account for the highest number of jail terms imposed. Picture: Daragh Mc Sweeney While he highlighted several positive examples of family and youth projects involving the Irish Prison Service, local resource centres, and the Cork ETB aimed at addressing recidivism, he acknowledged there is still a major problem. 'I've spoken to officials in my own department in community rural development on how we can ensure that there is, with Pobal, a piece of work done so that we can ensure that the investment we are putting in is paying dividends, in terms of people not being institutionalised in prison,' he said. 'We also have to work with different organisations to ensure there is a pathway to education, to safer streets, to rehabilitation from drug and alcohol misuse. 'But it is disconcerting to see that despite the vast sums of money spent by Government over generations, over decades, there is a map that illustrates a clear issue that we have to have a clear conversation on. 'I've asked people in my department to look at that as well.' The research comes as opposition grows on the city's northside to recent government plans to repurpose the old Cork Prison building to provide around 300 new prison spaces. Tánaiste Simon Harris said the government will engage with the local community on the plan, but stated that his 'high-level instinct' is that the State's prison capacity must be increased—and quickly. That increased capacity, he said, would provide the space for education and training programmes aimed at tackling the revolving door problem in the prison system. 'Providing adequate prison space, having it properly staffed and adequately resourced, provides that space or an environment within the prison where there can be a focus on ending the revolving door, by saying to people, how are you going to get your life back on track,' he said. 'Our population has grown and grown very significantly in recent years. 'We in the Oireachtas voted to increase the sentencing - that people who carry out heinous crimes should pay in terms of the time in prison, and that does require extra prison spaces. 'The minister for justice has an important role to do in bringing that extra space on track as quickly as possible. 'Having said that, any process has to engage with communities. 'Any process has to be conscious of the views of communities, and this government will absolutely engage with the community in relation to that. 'But we want to make sure our streets are safe, we want to make sure crime never pays, and one of the greatest deterrents to crime is people knowing there is enough prison capacity and if I commit a crime, I'm have a decent chance of going to prison." Read More From northside to southside: What your address means when the gavel falls in Cork
Agriland
10-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
New MTU butchery programme launched in ‘step forward for the craft'
A new butchery academic programme aiming to 'bridge the gap' between agriculture, culinary arts, business, and sustainability has been launched at Munster Technological University (MTU). According to the university, the Bachelor of Arts in Sustainable Butchery and Gastronomy programme is the result of over two years of engagement between industry and academia, with a shared mission to cultivate future leaders in the butchery and gastronomy sectors. The programme emphasises sustainable practices, ethical considerations, and a connection to agriculture and nature, with a curriculum that integrates leadership development, culinary arts, animal science, and ethical business practices. The two-year programme will be delivered through hybrid learning and could suit those who are interested in or are already working in supervisory and management roles within the meat and other related industries, who wish to elevate their knowledge and skills to become a leader within their organisation. Strong butchery skills On launching the programme, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development with responsibility for rural and community development, charities and transport Jerry Buttimer said it will help in supporting a 'sustainable future for our food industry, while nurturing the next generation of industry leaders'. 'Through my role I see first-hand every day the vital role the agri-food sector plays in rural communities, from the small artisan to the large scale producers, who share a deep sense of passion and pride in what they do. 'They are the backbone of our communities. 'I'm excited to watch how this new programme supports the food industry with innovative skills and knowledge and continues to establish the Irish brand of passionate food leaders at home and abroad, with the support of our valued international industry partners,' Minister Buttimer said. According to Dr. Noel Murray, head of Department of Tourism and Hospitality at MTU, Ireland is fortunate to have 'strong and globally-respected butchery and gastronomy knowledge and skills'. The BA – which is the first degree of its kind in Ireland and described as a major step forward for the craft – will see James Whelan Butchers collaborating with MTU on the programme. CEO of James Whelan Butchers, Pat Whelan said it will 'build on the existing great programmes and apprenticeships that have been the backbone of the industry for generations'. 'I believe this BA programme is a significant step to support Ireland's ability to nurture a new generation of global culinary leaders which will in turn allow Ireland's food industry to solidify its efforts to forge new international networks for learning.' In addition to the butchery programme launch, a Letter of Intent was signed between the University of Buenos Aires and MTU to allow for closer academic links between Argentina and Ireland, two leaders in the beef industry. Attending from Buenos Aires in Argentina was Luis Barcos, founder of the ICOCA, The Science of Meat Institute, and Dr. Alejo Perez Carrera, dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences of the University of Buenos Aires. The Buenos Aires team developed a world's first Meat Sommelier Programme. Both universities now look forward to collaborating, sharing knowledge and expertise to bring those skills to the Irish market. Keynote speaker was Leandro Gentini of the International Meat Sommelier Association, a well-known figure in the world of Wagyu. Originally from Argentina, he relocated to Japan to master the art of Wagyu, delving into the complexities of this premium beef. Related Stories: French and Brazilian leaders disagree on Mercosur after meeting
RTÉ News
03-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Govt's handling of housing czar appointment 'a shambles'
Sinn Féin's housing spokesperson Eoin O'Broin has described the Government's handling of the appointment of a housing czar as a "shambles" and said "no one" believes a potential €430,000 a year salary was never discussed. The opposition TD was speaking on RTÉ's Today with Aine Kerr during which Fine Gael Minister of State Jerry Buttimer rejected reports of a "row" in Government over the controversy. Asked about the decision on Thursday by NAMA chief executive Brendan McDonagh to say he no longer wants to be considered for the role, Deputy O'Broin said "it's a shambles". He said given "only one candidate was being considered by Fianna Fáil", and that this was Mr McDonagh, he said he believes Fine Gael's Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe "would have been in the loop" as he is NAMA's line minister. Deputy O'Broin said "I don't believe for a second, and I don't believe anyone who's followed this story credibly believes" that when Mr McDonagh's name was brought up that his existing salary of €430,000 was not discussed. While the Government has insisted no conversations involving a salary for the potential new role took place, Deputy O'Broin said asking people to believe that position "insults the public", before adding: "If you ever wanted confirmation of the absolute shambles [of housing policy], it's not just the past week it's the past six weeks." Responding to the claims on the same programme, Minister Buttimer said that while "it's great for the media to see it [the new unit and potential appointment] revved up to a row" at Cabinet, he insisted "it's not". Minister Buttimer said while "personally I thought it [the reported potential salary] was a big high", in his view the Housing Activation Office is "the important thing" and that it is "imperative and important to increase supply, build more homes and give people what they want - a home of their own". Asked if trust has been "broken" between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael after several sources in both parties appeared to brief against each other on the issue, Minister Buttimer said: "I know the media love to dramatise and have a row between people, but it's about delivery [of houses]. "We can debate all we want, and it's very sexy and gets the headlines, but for the people who want to get their own home it doesn't help." Speaking on the same programme, Green Party leader Roderic O Gorman said: "I think the Government has been in absolute panic mode on housing" since a previous row over projected housing completion figures for this year.
