‘Dutchy’ dismisses claims he has joined slop-out action

VERONICA GUERIN murder suspect, Patrick “Dutchy” Holland, has dismissed as “potty” claims that he is to sue the State for the trauma of having to slop out his cell in Portlaoise Prison.

The convicted drugs dealer said last night there was no truth in reports that he was part of a group of 800 serving and former prisoners planning compensation claims against the prison authorities, or that he was being represented by Limerick solicitor John Devane who is preparing many of the cases.

Holland released a statement from prison through his nephew, James Holland, after Devane appeared on the Late Late Show over the weekend talking about the legal action which Justice Minister Michael McDowell has pledged to fight all the way.

His statement said: “I am not being represented by solicitor John Devane or anybody else. I am not a part of any group taking such action.

He continued: “I have since spoken to Mr Devane to clarify the issue and am confident that Mr Devane will confirm that he was not, and is not, representing me in this case.”

James Holland said last night his uncle had no intentions of taking such a case in the future and was annoyed that his name had been linked to the actions. “He feels his name was used to attract media attention and get a higher profile for the cases.”

He said, however, that Dutchy believed the claimants had a genuine grievance and he wished them well with their cases. In his statement he said: “I agree that is an archaic and dehumanising procedure which needs to be changed.

“It is proven to be unsanitary and poses a clear health risk to prisoners and staff alike. I can only hope that any legal action taken is successful in ending this Victorian Workhouse practice still prevalent in 21st century Ireland“.