Ex-prison officer claims racist jibes made about his family

A RETIRED prison officer told the High Court yesterday he was subjected to racist comments about his Asian wife and children who he said were described as “half breeds” while efforts were made to demean and belittle him over a period of several years.

Edward Keenan claims he suffered personal and psychological injuries, mental distress and physical illness because of the alleged bullying and harassment. He is taking the proceedings against prison officers David Power and Thomas Somers along with the Governor of Arbour Hill Prison, the Irish Prison Service and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

All the defendants deny the claims and say an investigation against one of the officers was “aborted”.

Mr Keenan told Mr Justice John Quirke he joined the prison service in 1978 at the age of 23 and after serving in Cork and Mountjoy took up duty at Arbour Hill Prison. He retired prematurely in 2008 allegedly because of the bullying and had been due to retire in 2014. In 1985 he married his wife Vasanna from Thailand and they had three children Rose (24); John (23) and Ann Marie (18).

He said the bullying and harassment started in 1987 with racist comments about his wife and children.

He told his counsel Seamus Ó Tuathail SC the comments were made in an effort to demean, belittle and make him feel small.

The hearing was adjourned until March 22.