Prison cuts not the way to fight criminals

YOUR editorial headlined ‘Government losing fight against crime’ (Irish Examiner, Nov 28) hits the nail on the head when you state that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Michael McDowell, is more concerned with cutting costs that putting extra resources into fighting crime.

When the gardaí bring criminals to justice it is vitally important that there are sufficient prison places available to contain those who terrorise, maim and murder.

Last year, following the tragic deaths of gardaí Tighe and Padden in Dublin, and the outcry at the lack of secure places of detention for juveniles, a decision was made to designate part of St Patrick’s Institution for this purpose.