Prison boss to get report over mistaken release

PRISON boss Brian Purcell is due to get a report over the weekend after a violent criminal was mistakenly released instead of another prisoner with the same name.

The Prison Service director general ordered the report from the governor of Mountjoy Jail after it emerged the wrong Mark Kenny was released on Wednesday.

The man who was released is a dangerous criminal serving six years for armed robbery and who was not due to be released until 2010.

The Mark Kenny who was supposed to be let out on temporary release is serving a three month sentence for a traffic offence.

“The director has demanded from the governor a report as a matter of urgency,” said a spokesman for the Prison Service. “He is awaiting that report and would expect to have it by Monday.

“If it reveals any negligence on the part of an officer there would be the possibility of disciplinary procedures, but that will depend on the report.”

A spokesman for the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) criticised what he said was early talk of disciplinary procedures.

“They have to ascertain what went awry in the first place and at that stage make decisions. Anything else would be premature,” said POA president Jim Mitchell.

He said the information available to the association suggested there were “exceptional circumstances”.

Both Mark Kennys looked alike, appeared to have the same appendix scars, had similar tattoos and both printed their names.

“When he was asked his date of birth, he gave the other guy’s date of birth,” said Mr Mitchell.

He said there would have been different staff involved in processing Mr Kenny’s release and that the man’s signature would have to be checked by a senior officer.

“The investigation needs to establish in what way the process fell down. Was it the procedure or was it human error?

“You are talking about two guys with the same scars, same tattoos, same name. It’s unheard of, like Lotto stuff.”

He said the investigation should not just be about looking for a scapegoat.

The Prison Service spokesman said the POA seemed to be preempting the report, but said any failings in the system would be addressed immediately.

Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe said the incident highlighted the state of the prison service after 10 years of Fianna Fáil-led government.

“It is incredible to think that a serious armed robber can be confused with a minor offender because they share the same name. Procedures must be put in place to ensure this sort of ridiculous release never happens again.

“We need to know what measures are going to be introduced to ensure a crackdown on this lax and dangerous system.”