Two more Mountjoy deaths ‘must end McDowell’s complacency’

THE deaths of two prisoners in Mountjoy within 12 hours should help shake Justice Minister Michael McDowell out of his complacency, Labour’s justice spokesperson Brendan Howlin said last night.

Describing the situation as “appalling”, Mr Howlin said Mr McDowell had been condemned by the investigations of the people he had appointed.

“Against the background of the worst period experienced in Mountjoy prison for many decades, with three deaths in recent weeks, violent confrontations between prisoners and reports of prison officers standing by in riot gear, the record of the Minister for Justice stands condemned by the findings of his own appointees,” said Mr Howlin.