Committee Reports::Report No. 11 - Disturbance at Fort Mitchel prison, Spike Island on the 1st September 1985::13 August, 1986::Appendix


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Committee Reports > List of Committees > Dáil > 1986 > Select Committee on Criminal Lawlessness and Vandalism > Report No. 11 - Disturbance at Fort Mitchel prison, Spike Island on the 1st September 1985

Letter dated 24th September, 1985 from General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association to the Clerk to the Committee.

APPENDIX C

24th September, 1986.

Mr. F.J. Brady,

Clerk to the Select Committee on

Crime, Lawlessness and Vandalism.

Dear Mr. Brady,

Further to my Association’s letter to you dated 16/9/1985 in acknowledgement to your request on behalf of the Select Committee on Crime, Lawlessness & Vandalism for the Prison Officers’ Association to furnish your Committee any information surrounding the disturbance at Fort Mitchel Prison on 1/9/1985.

On Friday, 15th March 1985 at approximately 4.20 p.m. the Prison Officers’ Association was informed by telephone by Ms. Berenice O’Neill, an Official of the Department of Justice, of the following statement issued by the Minister for Justice, Mr. Michael Noonan, T.D.:

‘The Minister for Justice, Mr. Michael Noonan, T.D. today announced that the Naval facilities at Spike Island were being handed over to his Department to provide extra accommodation for offenders, on a temporary basis. The Minister said that the stage had now been reached where additional accommodation was needed in order to deal with the projected rise in the prison population, particularly bearing in mind that the Gardai had advised him that about 290 people were before the Courts on charges associated with car theft alone.

The Minister said that the number of offenders actually in Prison had increased from an average of 1,235 to about 1,700 today. This represented an increase of about 40% and was an indication of efforts which the Prison Service had made to cope with the unprecedented level of committals to our Prisons. To cope with the projected increase, however, it was quite clear that a new facility was needed and extra resources would also have to be made available until 1987 and the situation required immediate action.

No decision had been taken on the actual number or type of Prisoner who would ultimately be detained on Spike Island, but it is planned that selected prisoners will be there very shortly after the facilities are handed over by the Military Authorities in about a fortnight’s time. The facilities at Spike Island are at present used by the Navy for training purposes and about 130 Army and Naval Personnel are based there.

The Minister said that he was grateful to the Naval Authorities for their co-operation and expressed the hope that the disruption caused to the Navy would not give rise to any major difficulties to them in carrying out their essential duties’.

The Prison Officers’ Association welcomed the Minister for Justice’s decision to provide additional accommodation for the Prison System, but pointed out that facilities and resources were necessary if Spike Island was to be a successful Prison Detention Centre. The Association said that no prior consultations had taken place.

On Tuesday, 19th March 1985 the Association contacted Senior Officials in the Department of Justice for permission for Officials of this Association to visit Spike Island and assess the appropriate conditions and arrangements. However, following a meeting with Officials in the Department of Justice on Wednesday 27/3/85, Officials of the Department of Justice outlined in general their plans for the introduction of Fort Mitchel Prison on Spike Island. The Department went on to state that (a) Fort Mitchel would be an open-type Institution, but would gradually be converted to a closed-type Institution when buildings were renovated and made secure; (b) Initially, the regime would be on a similar line to Shanganagh Castle or Shelton Abbey; (c) There would be approximately thirty to fifty offenders initially with provision for additional offenders as more secure areas became available; (d) Great emphasis was placed on the necessity for a proper selection process to select offenders for Fort Mitchel. The Department accepted that the Centre was not a secure Institution nor could it be for a considerable period of time.

The Association expressed concern with the security arrangements at Fort Mitchel particularly with the number of exits available from which Offenders could abscond. After a brief discussion, the Department outlined the following staffing levels for the introduction of Fort Mitchel on the ratio of 30/50 Offenders, one Governor, one Assistant Governor, one Chief Officer Class II, six Assistant Chief Officers, one Clerk I, three Clerk II’s, one Chief Officer Class II, six Trades Officers and thirty Basic Grade Officers. Total Staff = 50.

Following discussions on the maintenance requirements the meeting discussed the facilities on Fort Mitchel itself. The Association pointed out that one of the essential requirements on the introduction of Fort Mitchel was a radio link with both the mainland and the Institution itself. Motorola Radio Systems were specifically mentioned in this regard as they had already provided a radio link system to other Institutions and that they were a Cork based firm. The Department stated that they would look at this option - there was no response.

The Association made reference to the difficulty in getting Staff to and from the island in emergency circumstances. Following detailed discussions on the emergency situations, including medical facilities and the provision of transport to Staff or Offenders from the Institution if they became ill, etc., Mr. Cole assured the Association that a back-up (i.e. Defence Forces) would be available on the island within 5 minutes in the event of a disturbance or an emergency. It was agreed to have a further meeting on 9/4/1985 in Fort Mitchel.

Meeting in Fort Mitchel on 9/4/1985:

In attendance with the Prison Officers’ Association Officials were Ms. Berenice O’Neill and Mr. Dermot Cole of the Department of Justice, Mr. John Cotter, Governor of Cork Prison, Mr. Finbarr O’Leary, Deputy Governor of Fort Mitchel. The meeting commenced with a guided tour of the Fort Mitchel Complex. The Department outlined similar proposals to the previous Departmental Meeting for the operation of Fort Mitchel. They said that there were ten Offenders presently on the Island and this number would rise to fifty quickly. They said the only posts they had worked out at the moment were the Main Gate, Mess, Kitchen, Surgery-cum-Laundry, Reception and Driver, three Night-Guards, four Evening-Guards (1-10’s), two Evening-Guards (4-12’s). The Department went on to say that one billet would be in use for the moment to house the Offenders and it would be run on semi-open type Institution for the present.

The Association said they were not happy with the billet that was being used and made reference to the inadequate locks which were provided for the door of the billet and the security arrangements which were in existence at that time. The Prison Officers’ Association said, and I quote from the Minutes of that meeting:

‘That any Management in their right minds, who would open Fort Mitchel under such conditions were guilty of criminal negligence’.

The Association reiterated the necessity for:

1.A Radio link system to be established at Fort Mitchel.

2.The installation of a proper Alarm System.

3.A proper Lighting System.

4.A proper Prisoner Selection process.

5.Senior Staff to be assigned to Fort Mitchel (and outlined principles for operation of same).

6.A proper and immediate back-up in the event of a disturbance.

7.Access - The Department reassured the Association that a back-up service would be available within 5 minutes in the event of an emergency.

In relation to the conditions immediately affecting Prison Officers at Fort Mitchel it was agreed that such conditions and issues mentioned above would be subject to further meetings, which unfortunately never materialised.

Soon after the opening of Fort Mitchel Prison on Spike Island, a number of glaring deficiencies became apparent, such as:

a.The unsuitability of Offenders being selected for Fort Mitchel.

b.The high number of Offenders without the corresponding increase in the number of Prison Officers.

c.A number of attempted and successful escapes.

d.No Alarm System.

e.No proper Lighting System.

f.The absence of a Radio Link.

g.The number of inexperienced Prison Officers assigned to Fort Mitchel including Staff who were selected from a Garda Recruit Panel and were expected to perform Prison Officer duties in the absence of any training.

h.No educational or proper work programmes.

i.That there were up to 30 additional exits for Prisoners to escape through.

MEETINGS AT FORT MITCHEL PRISON

LOCAL MANAGEMENT AND

LOCAL PRISON OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES

On 14/5/1985 the first meeting took place with the newly formed Branch of the Prison Officers’ Association.

	In attendance:
	P.O.A.:		Management:
	Michael Brown		Deputy Governor F. O’Leary
	Gerry Cox		Chief Officer Kane
	A. O’Sullivan
	J. Roche
1.	The P.O.A. requested two additional Night-Guards.	1.	Management’s response - no need.
2.	Inadequate conditions for Night-Guards.	2.	Management’s response - to use store that was built as a holding-cell.
3.	P.O.A. request internal phone system (in the event of an emergency).	3.	One phone installed approximately four weeks later.
4.	Alarm System.	4.	Management’s response - Agreed/installed after the second escape (such a system was not adequate)
5.	P.O.A. requested proper lighting system.	5.	Agreed that the system was bad. A Surveyor was to examine the area. Extra lights were provided in ‘A’ Block in August 1985.
6.	It was pointed out that the agreed staffing levels i.e. 30 Prison Officers for 30/50 Offenders was not enforced.	6.	No response.

MEETING 19th MAY, 1985

	In attendance:
	P.O.A.:		Management:
	G. Cox		Governor Cotter
	B. Lang		Chief Twomey
	T. Landers

This meeting conveyed after a disturbance in the Dining Hall in which several windows were broken and an Officer was assaulted.

The Chief Officer was informed earlier that morning that tension was high in the block.

	Prison Officers’ Assoc. sought:		Management’s Response:
1.	In the interest of security that several prisoners be transferred from Fort Mitchel Prison.	1.	Governor Cotter stated that he was the Governor and he would decide when Prisoners where transferred and not the P.O.A.
2.	The P.O.A. said that the Institution was understaffed.	2.	Agreed, and Management was seeking more staff.
3.	What was the position of Prison Officers in the event of an escape, due to the insecurity of the Institution.	3.	Governor expected Staff to observe Prisoners.

MEETING 6th JUNE, 1985

	In attendance:
	P.O.A.:		Management:
	Michael Brown		Deputy Governor O’Leary
	G. Cox		Chief Officer Twomey
	John Roche

See copy of the Agenda submitted to the Governor on 5/6/1985.

1.	Staffing Levels.	8.	Establish times for meal breaks.
2.	Facilities for night Guards (intern and extern).	9.	Caps.
3.	Tea Room for Staff.	10.	Lates.
4.	Communications System.	11.	Conditions (Officers’
5.	Lighting System.	11.	Mess).
6.	Uniform Issue.	12.	Fire fighting Equipment.
7.	Staff Locker Room.	13.	Facilities for P.O.A.
		14.	Driving Post and Allowance.
		15.	Riot Equipment.

	Staffing Levels:	Management:
	P.O.A. concerned over the serious low staffing levels to offenders.	More posts here than in Shanganagh Castle.
		Management’s Response:
	P.O.A. also requested status of Fort Mitchel, was it an open or closed prison?	Semi-open, becoming mor secure.
2.	Facilities for Night-Guards (intern and extern)	Management’s Response:
	The Association outlined the inadequate conditions under which Prison Officers had to perform night-duty. Also, a cabin pack was also requested for extern night guard.	Cabin pack ordered (has not arrived yet).
4.	Communications System:	Management’s Response:
	P.O.A. complained that there was still no radio system in the Institution.	Six radios on order. (Did not arrive until after the riot on 1/9/1985).
5.	Lighting System:	Management’s Response:
	P.O.A. reiterated original request for the installation of a proper lighting system.	Survey to be carried out (some additional lights provided in mid-August - not sufficient).
12.	Fire-fighting Equipment:	Management’s Response:
	P.O.A. complained at the lack of fire tenders. Requested a fire pump placed near the ‘A’ Block.	Management agreed. But never implemented it. (Night of riot, no way of pulling fire pump).
	Riot Equipment:	Management’s Response:
	The P.O.A. complained about the lack of riot equipment, Also requested batons for external night-guard.	Helmets ordered. Against use of batons as they tend to escalate a disturbance rather than quell its Management’s response to request for batons for the external night-guard - No.

MEETING 7/8/1985

	In attendance:
	P.O.A.:	Management:
	John Cuffe	Deputy Governor F. O’Leary
	J. Roche
	J. Hogan
1.	The Association requested mesh on the windows at the rear of ‘D’ 1.	Management’s Response - Agreed but never implemented.
2.	P.O.A. requested the implementation of a radio system.	Management agreed - but stressed there was a three month delay (implemented after the disturbance in September 1985).

MEETING 14/8/1985

	In attendance:
	P.O.A.:	Management:
	John Cuffe	Deputy Governor F. O’Leary
	Gerry Cox	Chief Officer Twomey
	T. Landers
1.	The Association again requested mesh for the rear windows on ‘D’ 1 (A Block).	Management’s Response - Agreed, not implemented. The night the riot took place, prisoners came through same windows.
2.	Gate to be erected in A. Block instead of door.	Management’s Response was that there was no need.
3.	Radio and Lamps.	Management’s Response - ordered. (Implemented after riot).
4.	Alarms for D2 and D3.	Management agreed to implement. (Has not been done as yet).
	Extend internal phone system.	Management’s response - Agreed. (Not implemented as yet).
	Gate on D3 yard.	Management’s response - Agreed. (Not implemented yet). Could have contained 30 prisoners on night of the riot.

Correspondence from the Prison Officers’ Association to the Superintending Officer of Prisons, Department of Justice and the Minister for Justice pertaining to Fort Mitchel Prison:

On 20th May, 1985 the Prison Officers’ Association wrote to the Superintending Officer of Prisons, c/o Department of Justice, outlining the Association’s concern with (a) recent events and developments at Fort Mitchel; (b) the selection process for selecting offenders for Fort Mitchel; (c) the dangerous type of offenders that were presently in this Institution; (d) the initial agreement by the Department to provide fifty Prison Officers (all grades) to 50/55 offenders, had not been honoured; (e) the safety of Prison Officers/General Public/Proper safety standards. The Association requested an urgent meeting with Officials in the Department of Justice to discuss such serious matters.

On 23rd July, 1985 the Prison Officers’ Association re-issued to the Department of Justice letter of 20/5/1985.

On 19th August, 1985 the Association received an acknowledgement from the Department of Justice dated 16/8/1985 concerning our correspondence pertaining to Fort Mitchel Prison and that the Department of Justice expected to be in a position to arrange a meeting to discuss Fort Mitchel.

Prison Officers’ Association letter to Department of Justice Prison Section dated 13/8/1985:

The Association requested an urgent meeting in relation to a number of serious problems concerning Fort Mitchel Prison. The Association raised (a) Staffing Levels; (b) General Security implications; (c) Communication System; (d) Staff/ Offender safety. However, no response was received.

Prison Officers’ Association correspondence to Mr. Michael Noonan, Minister for Justice, dated 12th July, 1985:

The National Executive put forward a detailed agenda for the Minister’s consideration and requested a meeting with him to discuss such issues as point number 5 on the agenda Fort Mitchel Prison - unfortunately no response or meeting took place.

Following a telephone call from the Prison Officers’ Association to Mr. Michael Mellett, Assistant Secretary in the Department of Justice on Tuesday 13th August, 1985 where the Association requested an immediate meeting to discuss the agenda submitted to Department of Justice including the serious issues at Fort Mitchel, a meeting was finally arranged for Wednesday 28/8/1985 at 10.30 a.m.

In attendance at the meeting the Department Officials were - Tom Stokes, Richard Fennessy, Martin Territt, Ken O’Leary. From the Prison Officers’ Association were Denis McGrath, Paddy Kavanagh, P.J. McEvoy, Tom Hoare, Ray Murphy, Dave O’Neill and Anthony Morris.

At the said meeting the Association outlined serious concern on the following issues: (a) No Governor appointed to the Institution; (b) Radio and alarm system; (c) Selection of offender procedures (the unsuitability of a number of offenders); (d) Lighting system; (e) the number of junior staff, particularly staff who received no training (the Association referred to the previous Saturday night staffing levels); (f) The Association also expressed a system of selecting senior staff on a temporary basis for assignment to Fort Mitchel; (g) Access.

The Association outlined at that meeting that Fort Mitchel was on a time bomb and two National Officers in particular, Ray Murphy and Paddy Kavanagh, expressed fear inside the Prison following a recent visit to Fort Mitchel Prison. The Association appealed at that meeting for an immediate response to the issues outlined above and the Deputy General Secretary Tom Hoare appealed for immediate action and expressed his fear that the weekend may be too late for action.

Unfortunately there was no response.

Staffing and Grading Levels at Fort Mitchel on Saturday 31/8/1985:

Post
1 Deputy Governor	-	Newly promoted
1 Chief Officer II	-	Newly promoted
6 Assistant Chief Officers	-	(4 Newly promoted)
1 Clerk I	-	Newly promoted
2 Clerk II	-	Newly promoted
1 Chief Trades Officer	-	Newly promoted
9 Trades Officers	-	(6 on temporary transfer and 3 recently recruited by the National Manpower Service).

The newly promoted Officers as outlined above received no training in their new promoted positions.

Basic Grade Officers:

56 Basic Grade Officers in total of which:-

24 Officers recruited from a Garda Panel with no training.

16 Officers who joined the Prison Service in 1985.

16 Officers with three years Service or over.

Staff on duty on Saturday, 31st August, 1985 at 12 midnight:

1 Assistant Chief Officer (Supervising)

6 Basic Grade Officers

4 Evening Guards (4 p.m. to 12 midnight duty) who were requested to stay on duty.

6 to 10 Basic Grade Officers (actual number - not confirmed) were in Staff Quarters at the time of the disturbance.

4 Gardai who were on duty on Spike Island.

Additional Staff who arrived at Fort Mitchel at the following times on Sunday morning 1st September 1985:

1 a.m. (approximately)	12 Officers including two Trades Officers.
2 a.m. (approximately)	6 Gardai
4.45 a.m. (approx)	40 Gardai

Please find enclosed copies of correspondence from the Prison Officers’ Association to Officials in the Department of Justice, the Minister for Justice and the Taoiseach. Trusting the above information will be to your assistance.

Yours faithfully,

on behalf of the National Executive Council.

_______________________

P.J. McEvoy

General Secretary.

P.O.A. to Department dated 20th May, 1985:

-Complaint of recent events in Spike Island (escapes).

-Complaint of the selection process and dangerous Prisoners on Spike.

-Complaint of broken agreement on Staff/Prisoner ratio.

-General comment on safety standards and their effect on Staff and the public.

-Requested urgent meeting.

No meeting took place - no reply from Department.

P.O.A. to Department dated 23rd July, 1985:

-Same letter re-issued to Department of Justice.

P.O.A. to Department dated 13th August, 1985:

-Raising serious problems in Spike Island.

-Staffing Levels.

-General Security implications.

-Communication System.

-Staff / Offender safety.

-Seeking immediate meeting.

Department to P.O.A. dated 16th August, 1985:

-Department of Justice acknowledged receipt of letter of 23rd July, 1985 - expects to arrange a meeting shortly.

P.O.A. to Minister dated 12th July, 1985:

-Detailed agenda for meeting with the Minister point no. 5.

-Reply received from the Minister’s Office on 23rd July 1985.

P.O.A. to An Taoiseach dated 6th June, 1985:

-Seeking an urgent meeting on the state of the Prison Service.

-Received acknowledgement on 14th June, 1985.

-Reply issued from An Taoiseach’s Office on 20th June 1985.

Letter dated 20th May, 1985 from the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association to the Superintending Officer of Prisons, Department of Justice.

20th May, 1985.

A Chara,

I am directed by the National Executive Council to bring to your attention my Association’s deep concern with the recent events and developments at Fort Mitchel on Spike Island.

My Association is concerned with the selection process for selecting offenders for Spike Island, equally the type and dangerous offenders that are presently on Fort Mitchel. The initial agreement by the Department to provide 50 Prison Officers (all grades) to 50-55 Offenders has not been honoured. I am sure you will agree that the safety of Prison Officers or indeed the general public, should not be placed in jeopardy in the absence of proper planning and presumably, proper safety standards.

My Association are requesting an urgent meeting with you to discuss such serious matters which are presently confronting Prison Officers on Fort Mitchel. Thanking you in anticipation.

Yours faithfully,

for the National Executive Council.

_____________________

P.J. McEvoy

General Secretary

Letter dated 23rd July, 1985 from the Deputy General Secretary Prison Officers’ Association to the Department of Justice.

23rd July, 1985.

A Chara,

I would appreciate if you would deal with the attached correspondence as they have been in your Section for a considerable period of time.

Yours faithfully,

for the National Executive Council.

__________________________

Tom Hoare,

Deputy General Secretary.

Letter dated 13th August, 1985 from the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association to Prisons Section, Department of Justice.

13th August, 1985.

A Chara,

I am directed by the National Executive Council to request an urgent meeting with you in relation to the number of serious problems presently affecting members of this Association at Fort Mitchel, Cork Prison and Loughan House.

The National Executive Council are extremely concerned at the failure of your Department by not honouring the commitment given to this Association earlier this year on the Staffing Levels per ratio to the number of offenders at Fort Mitchel.

The National Executive Council are of the opinion that due to the existing Staffing Levels at Fort Mitchel and the general security implications that presently prevails there, particularly the non-introduction of a Radio Communications System, greatly endangers the safety of Prison Officers and Offenders at Fort Mitchel.

The National Executive Council also believes that a similar situation prevails at Cork Prison whereby Prison Officers are continuously in danger of serious assault as a result of the ridiculously low Staffing ratio to Offenders at Cork Prison. The absence of the Radio Communications System on a regular 24 hour basis creates additional risk to the safety of Staff/Offenders and the Institution itself.

The National Executive Council would also appreciate the opportunity to discuss the Staffing Levels and other serious issues that presently affect Prison Officers at Loughan House. As the National Executive Council has already requested four-way meetings, particularly at Cork and Fort Mitchel Prisons, I would greatly appreciate, until such meetings can be arranged, a meeting with you to discuss the above mentioned serious matters.

Yours faithfully,

on behalf of the National Executive Council.

_______________________

P.J. McEvoy

General Secretary

Letter dated 16th August, 1985 from Department of Justice to the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association.

16th August, 1985.

A Chara,

I am directed by the Minister for Justice to refer to your letter of 23rd July, 1985 concerning certain correspondence.

I am to inform you that the Department expects to be in a position to have a meeting shortly to discuss Fort Mitchel and Loughan House.

As regards trades structures this area has been dealt with in some detail in the recent report of the Committee of Inquiry into the Penal System. The position will have to be reviewed by the Department in the light of the relevant recommendations in the Report before it will embark on discussions.

Mise, le meas,

_____________________

Letter dated 12th July, 1985 from the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association to Mr. Michael Noonan T.D., Minister for Justice.

12th July, 1985.

Dear Minister,

I am directed by the National Executive Council to refer to your letter of the 9th July 1985 in relation to previous correspondence from this Association, dated 26th June 1985.

The National Executive Council put forward the view that - to help and improve the existing bad industrial relations problems - it may be helpful not to submit a backlog of issues on a detailed agenda for our next meeting.

The National Executive Council were of the opinion that, bearing in mind the number of issues that this Association brought to the Minister’s attention in writing, the Minister would have been familiar with the problems of the Prison Service. The National Executive Council are confident that you will appreciate the Association’s initiative to reinitiate respect and goodwill that previously existed between the Minister for Justice’s Office and the Prison Officers’ Association.

The National Executive Council find no difficulties except as stated above, in furnishing you with a detailed agenda for our proposed meeting:

1.The present industrial relations problems.

2.Canteen facilities at Limerick Prison.

3.Portlaoise Staff Quarters and Canteen Facilities.

4.Prison Officer Personnel recruitment.

5.Fort Mitchel - Staff Conditions, Staffing Levels, Staff facilities generally.

6.Sick Leave and Dismissal Notices.

7.Documents found at Tip-head in Palmerstown.

The National Executive Council feel that it would not be desirable at our first meeting to continue with a litany of problems that currently affect the Prison Service. However, you may observe, from previous correspondence from this Association, some of the abovementioned issues.

The National Executive Council look forward in anticipation to your earliest consideration for our proposed meeting with you.

P.J. McEvoy

General Secretary.

Letter dated 23 July, 1985 from the Private Secretary, Office of the Minister for Justice to the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association.

23 July, 1985.

Dear Mr. McEvoy,

I am directed by the Minister for Justice, Mr. Michael Noonan, T.D., to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 12th July, 1985.

Yours sincerely,

_________________________

Private Secretary

Letter dated 6th June, 1985 from the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association to An Taoiseach.

6th June, 1985.

Dr. Garret FitzGerald,

An Taoiseach.

Dear Taoiseach,

I am directed by the National Executive Council of the Prison Officers’ Association to seek an urgent meeting with you in relation to the present state of the Prison System.

As the Prison Service is presently experiencing a serious industrial relations problem and Staff morale at an all-time low, my Association would greatly appreciate a meeting with you in our efforts to help eliminate such dangerous problems. The National Executive Council are conscious that the present situation of non-consultation or meaningful negotiating, should be allowed to continue to the detriment of the Prison Service.

The additional problems of Staff shortage and Prisons overcrowded, the pressures and dangers that Prison Officers are presently experiencing, notwithstanding the long hours of overtime Prison Officers are forced to perform in the absence of such agreement, are not conductive to a harmony which is essential for the smooth running of the Prison Service.

The National Executive Council look forward in anticipation to your considerate response to a meeting with you.

Yours faithfully,

on behalf of the National Executive Council.

_________________________

P.J. McEvoy

General Secretary

Letter dated 14 June, 1985 from the Private Secretary, Office of the Taoiseach to the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association.

14 June, 1985.

Dear Mr. McEvoy,

Thank you for your letter of the 6th June, 1985 addressed to the Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, T.D., requesting a meeting with him to discuss the present state of the Prison System.

Your letter is being brought to the Taoiseach’s attention.

Yours sincerely,

______________________

Private Secretary

to the Taoiseach.

Letter dated 20th June, 1985 from the Private Secretary, Office of the Taoiseach to the General Secretary, Prison Officers’ Association.

20 June, 1985.

Dear Mr. McEvoy,

The Taoiseach, Dr. Garret FitzGerald T.D., has asked me to refer again to your letter of 6th June and the subsequent acknowledgement from this Department.

The Taoiseach has now had an opportunity to discuss your letter with the Minister for Justice, Mr. Michael Noonan T.D. and understands that, since you wrote your letter of 6th June, a meeting has taken place between the Minister for Justice and the President and Vice-President of your Association. He also understands that arrangements are in train for a meeting later this month between the Minister and the National Officers of your Association.

In the circumstances the Taoiseach has directed that a copy of your letter be sent to the Minister and he has asked the Minister to keep him informed of developments.

Yours sincerely,

_________________________

Private Secretary

to the Taoiseach.