YOUR editorial headlined ‘Government losing fight against crime’ (Irish Examiner, Nov 28) hits the nail on the head when you state that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell, is more concerned with cutting costs that putting extra resources into fighting crime.

PLANS to close the State’s two remaining open prisons were criticised yesterday.

THE closure of an open prison for juvenile criminals does nothing for the well-being of young people and their future in society, a conference was told yesterday.

YOUNG offenders coming off drugs and nearing the end of their sentences face being thrown in with the general prison population following the closure of the State’s only open facility for youths, the Justice Minister has been warned.

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern must take personal responsibility for the tragic death of a taxi driver at the hands of so-called joyriders, the Labour Party insisted last night.

Trinity Professor Dr Paul Cullen has joined with campaigners opposing the decision by the Minister for Justice to close Shanganagh Castle detention centre in Dublin.

JUSTICE Minister Michael McDowell was urged yesterday to reverse the decision to close Shanganagh Castle - the only open prison for juveniles in the country.

The Labour Party has described the Government's decision to close Shanganagh open prison as the most backward step ever taken on penal policy in Ireland.

Prison officers angry at the proposed closure of Shanganagh prison in Co Dublin are protesting outside the Dail this morning.

Prison officers have said they are utterly opposed to Minister for Justice Micheal McDowell closing an open centre for young offenders