McDowell not phased by Inspector of Prison's remarks

The Justice Minister has said he's not surprised by the Inspector of Prisons accusation that the Irish Prison System is a total failure.

Michael McDowell said he was expecting Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen to hit out at him after a conversation the two had at the Prison Officers Association annual conference yesterday.

Mr Justice Kinlen described his own position as a façade and claims that breaches of prisoners human rights are happening in Irish prisons every day.

Minister McDowell said he doesn't agree with the Inspectors allegations, saying: "Mr Justice Kinlen told me in conversation that he felt that I had not treated him well as an inspector. So I feel his remarks today are a little bit unbalanced."