New jail a criminal waste of resources

IN these times of financial hardship, I think it is a criminal waste of scarce financial resources, ie, taxpayers’ money, for the Government to go ahead with the construction of a new prison at Thornton Hall in north Co Dublin, or anywhere else, especially since there is a ready-made prison — Spike Island — sitting in the middle of Cork Harbour.

This could be turned into an adequate facility for a fraction of the cost.

The facilities in this prison were found to be adequate for the men who fought for our independence.

When it was taken over by the state in 1938 the facilities were found to be adequate for the army’s coastal defence unit.

It was found also to be suitable for the training of members of our naval service.

When the Department of Justice took over this prison large sums of taxpayers’ money were spent modernising it so that our criminals could be housed in comfort, but they subsequently set it on fire.

How do we know that a modern prison being planned for Thornton Hall will not face the same fate?

Patrick J O’Hanlon

Glenanaar Place

Cobh

Co Cork