€7,500 damages for ex-prisoner who had to 'slop out' in prison

The court's unanimous judgment allowing Gary Simpson's appeal has implications for more than 1,000 cases taken over 'slopping out' in prisons and sets out principles of general application to such cases.

The Supreme Court has ruled a former prisoner's constitutional right to protection of his person was violated by having to 'slop out' in prison and he is entitled to €7,500 compensatory damages.

The five judge court's unanimous judgment allowing Gary Simpson's appeal has implications for more than 1,000 cases taken over 'slopping out' in prisons and sets out principles of general application to such cases.