McDowell defends decision to shelve proposals for juvenile prison

PLANS for a new juvenile prison in south Dublin have been shelved, with Justice Minister Michael McDowell claiming he bowed to pressure from residents and local representatives.

Mr McDowell said the prison service and the Office of Public Works were continuing to look for another site for the detention centre despite strong indications that a special wing at St Patrick’s in the centre of Dublin is being prepared for 16 and 17-year-old criminals.

While Mr McDowell insisted his decision not to proceed with the jail and new prison service headquarters was made following objections from people in Clondalkin, he is also under pressure to cut the prison service’s building budget.