Special treatment for jailed Anglo Trio is an affront to justice

It is not the fault of the Anglo Trio but they are beneficiaries of a jail system that is unable to perform its only and basic function, lock up all convicted criminals equally and without favour, writes John Cuffe

John Bowe, Willie MacAteer, and Denis Casey, a trio found guilty for their part in a €7.2bn fraud that has shattered the lives of many of the ‘little people’ are, after one night in Mountjoy, now ensconced in the low-security Training Unit that sits on the Mountjoy campus. After their appeal, no doubt, they will apply to be sent to Shelton Abbey, a Victorian pile in Wicklow, or Loughan House in Cavan.

There is a pattern within the prison service for people like the Anglo Trio. After arriving in Shelton/Loughan and serving a few months, they will be given time out to further their ‘careers’ and job prospects, and their time in jail will be minimal.