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Search author name words: Kevin T. Walsh
Prison - Need to acknowledge Punishment Block in Cork
 international |
crime and justice |
opinion/analysis
 Thursday November 02, 2006 21:33 by Kevin T. Walsh - Social Justice
Let us implement Mr. Justice Kinlan's Report forthwith
Sometime ago, retired Justice Kinlan wrote a damning report on our prisons. McDowell, Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, went into a 'huff'. He accused Justice Kinlan of being out to get him. The question remains:-
A young man was brutally murdered in a cell while five prisoners looked on. Six people sharing one cell.....this had to end in disaster at some stage.
Quotation
Checks and Balances - Muhummad Yunus Contemporary Bangladeshi Economist and founder of the Grameen Bank
It's not people who aren't credit-worthy
It's banks that aren't people-worthy
Debtors and debt.......there ought to be a different approach rather than Mountjoy.........Fado, one was sent to the debtor's prison - a different stigma but more equitable surely
Working for Simon for a number of years, in Galway, I have listened to young people and their descriptions of prison life. One young boy from Dublin aged 23 said to me 'I was in Mountjoy, I was doing 18 months for trespass; I was homeless but I got 18 months for intention to steal. While in Mountjoy, I had a row with a fellow inmate. I was transferred to Cork prison. I spent 10 weeks in a place called the BLOCK in Cork - it is a punishment wing'. Mr. Walsh, 'I ask you, would you survive in a vest and boxer shorts, a bible and one hours exercise a day.
Sometimes I listen to Governor Lonergan talk on the radio or television about Human Rights. He sanctioned my transfer. What about my human rights'?
I spent some years studying the prison system - 25% of people incarcerated are bipolar. There are only 10 beds available at Dundrum. In the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's, some of these people spent over 10 months in padded cells - against all Laws of the EU but yet sanctioned by Governor Lonergan.
Now I will tell you a short story. In Croke Park, in the 1940's, 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's - The Artane Boys band paraded in Croke Park at the All Ireland Final Days - both Hurling and Football. Over 75,000 people attended and applauded. How many of those people including the Ministers, the Taoiseach, and the President sat knowing that most of these boys were sexually abused, at that time. We All know now, sadly.
Our prison system:
A friend of mine from Castlebar some years ago, his name is John, married with two kids. His business went down hill and he had debts of 28,000 punts. The Ulster Bank instructed the Court for an Order of Committal for one month. I went to college with this man. I found him honest, tall, gentle and kind. He spent his first week in Mountjoy prison.
When I visited him in Loughlin House I asked him - Did you see Governor Lonergan in Mountjoy before you were sent to Loughlin House? He said no.....I met this gentleman in uniform with three bars on his shoulder - his words were 'another thick culchie'. My friend John went to Mountjoy in a taxi accompanied by two Gardai. That cost the taxpayer at least 2,000 euros to facilitate Ulster Bank for committing a man to prison for an outstanding debt.
In his final weeks in Loughlin, the Governor was very kind and he helped John through a very good probation officer. Today, John has six taxi fleets in the west of Ireland and employs 22 people. Well Done John.......
In the last 10 years in Irish prisons, we have had over 19 suicides. 14 were men under 25 years old. I ask why? I ask who is in charge of the prison psychological sector relating to our young people who end up in prison. I ask in relation to all the research that is being carried out in Ireland presently and costing millions - Is it implemented or what happens to same.
The question is simple: Is our prison system working effectively and the answer is no it is not.
Over a year ago on John Bowman's Questions and Answer's - Governor Lonergan from Mountjoy was on the panel. A question came from the audience - 23 young men, members of the prison service......'Isn't time for change in Mountjoy? It was the first time I saw John Lonergan looking beweildered.
It is time people question 'The Block in Cork Prison' and its effects on our young people. We all know about the Garda corruption but let's see some humane equality in our prisons. Otherwise the outcome is chaos. I admire Justice Kinlan and his courage to speak out.
Kevin T. Walsh
Quotation
Checks and Balances - Muhummad Yunus Contemporary Bangladeshi Economist and founder of the Grameen Bank
It's not people who aren't credit-worthy
It's banks that aren't people-worthy
Debtors and debt.......there ought to be a different approach rather than Mountjoy.........Fado, one was sent to the debtor's prison - a different stigma but more equitable surely
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Comments (18 of 18)
Jump To Comment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18The prisons are crumbling, the prison officers are demotivated, bullied, sick (10% on long-term absence, 30% take some sick leave each year) and riven by a multitude of improprieties - both amongst officers and between officers and inmates. McDowell's answer is to further starve them of funds, close prisons and announce a major building program without the POA's consent or support. He has the brass to pull something like that off, but not unfunded and not while fighting every other interest group, most notably the Gardai, at the same time.
Prison reform requires a motivated, healthy and supported prison officer service. It takes money and trust, both of which are scarce. The humans in the system are what make it work, well or badly.
Do prison officers exchange internationally as gardai do? Do foreign officers from well-run services get to see inside the running of Irish prisons, and Irish officers to work in an effective foreign service?
The IPS - (Irish Prison Service) do not talk to the POA on any real level.
The IPS is in fact a Gov stooge.
The POA thought that control in the absence of education and rehab should be
provided by drugs- the iPS got a drug-dog.
POA wanted educatio/rehab they were told to fuck off.
The IPS don't talk of the coffins- murder and suicide.
They calla state of Emergency.
The IPS are governement appointed. They are blocking progress and living on
good salaries.
They probably play poker with Michael Mc -
Mr. Justice Kinlan, similar to Mr. Justice Barr, to Mr. Justice Morris have spearheaded the examination of Justice v. Corruption, but more importantly established that the 'execution' of a bipolar young man, quite evidently in an anxiety state but found himself shot dead by the Emergency Response team in the remote village of Abbeylara.
The men above, I would consider learned, and more importantly wise in experience willing to share this with the powers that be in the interests in humanity and the Scales of Justice and its equilibrium. Now we await Minister McDowell, Justice Equality and Law Reform to evaluate these reports, and to also consider the famous Whitaker Report of the 1970's, that remains mostly not implemented. We ask him to take account of the Dignity of all human beings involved in the Prison System - the re-decoration of buildings, like in psychiatric hospitals, is one issue but the human factor, the motivation of staff, the long-term future of the prisoners is core to society.
The Election approaches and first it is hoped that there will be a revision of the Constituion to ensure rights to the children of our nation, on the island of Ireland.
What about our young prison population in the like of St. Patricks for Young Offenders - will the Constitutional amendment take account of these young peoples' rights, will it take account of Society's inability to provide a social programme, an educational programme, a health service, a psychological rehabilitation based service,.
At a Headway meeting, I was most impressed to hear a Father speak about his son. The boy aged 16 was hit by a car and sustained a head injury. This father did not read or write so when his son was released from hospital, the father had to face the bureaucratic monalith to establish rights for his son. The son had a behaviour change, petty crime and expelled from school. He lost most of what he had learnt to date and basically became a passenger i.e. vulnerable. This point here is the Father learned to to read and write to establish rights for his son. This makes him a most exceptional man.
This man always makes me ask about young prisoners and their case histories to ensure there are no brain injuries that have a behaviour change affect. People fail to listen. When you do not conform to the prescribed order of our Society, you are thrown to the winds.
There but for the Grace of God Go I: provide the strong words that ought remind us that difference between the 'individual' and the crime.
Governor Lonergan has survived several decades as Governor of Mountjoy selected by the Government of the day. He has mentioned in many of the interviews he speaks at that high numbers of inmates come from the impoverished parts of our City............Now these are profiles we need to listen to ........ the research is in abundance no doubt from our leading Universities but somehow the research tends to get embedded in dust and never advances the cause of those who are imprisoned and in particular the high level of recidivism. Apparently as many as 60% to 80% in our prisons come from dysfunctional situations.
Common Sense.......
The Block in Cork.......do we know enough? What about human rights in Ireland and for young people who may be wayward due to circumstances ....... it can be hard life for some. They are exposed to violence, drugs, sexual diseases, alcoholism, homelessness, alienation, poverty, depression, illness and no pathway out. Bill Cullen's Penny Apples gives a strong sense of the 'fight to live' that poverty and circumstances cause.......Society has a responsibility and most importantly to provide sensibly, soon enough, with a focus on health and educaton, adequate libraries opened 24 hours.........Everybody needs hope.
Michelle Clarke.
Quotations prove a good friend to me, with my head injury that leaves in the NOW.
'Prestige symbols can be contrasted with stigma symbols - the need to be idenfied with a group' Food for thought as the Celtic Tiger is tamed to being a pussy cat. Attitudes need to change.....and it could be for the better Integration is vital.......to sustain motive.
Professor Denis Hill 1962 commenting on the UK Homicide Act 1956
and the Mental Health Act 1959
I have just read the artical in my opinion youth in prison have it to good.A lady was gang raped in limerick by 4 thugs.These thugs are now going around St patricks institute BRAGGING about what they will do when they are released.PLEASE open spike island again and put all these little pups there.
Depression my arse what they need is a good thumping.
Tabby
I hear what you are saying. Gang rape by 4 young men and loud mouths and attitudes abhors me too.
Minister O'Dea showed great wit with his view of the redemption plans re. prisoners by Fine Gael, as presented recently......He suggested that it would be about upskilling those in prison to engage in more serious crime.....this could be right.
One point. Ireland has serious problems with people unable to engage with the 3 R's......When you have an lower vocabularly due to lack to education and reading, then studies show you are disadvantaged......
When you have poor language skills you tend to fill in gaps with swear words and name calling. I have Acquired Brain Injury from an accident and spent a lot of time in speech therapy with aphasia....the positive was that prior to the age of 10 I had built up a large stock of words and it is this that makes life that bit easier.
I was horrified recently to hear of a young man at a party.....a fracas broke out and the Gardai were called out. Allegedly batons were used.....at this party in a local hall.......and one man had to be stitched. Speaking to someone I was horrified to hear about the name calling of Gardai and in particular female Gardai.......
Templemore surely provides sufficient psychology lessons for Gardai to be removed from name calling and more pro-active.......
Has anyone any views about being in prison cells ....... ?
Michelle
stop whining
go take a gander at the bangkok hilton
or any other asian prison
our prisons are 5 star hotels in comparison
stop trying to excuse peoples antisocial behaviour by saying they are poor and dumb and know no better
that does not mean that they do not know right from wrong, they do! they choose, run the risk, and they lose
if you are concerned about conditions then a simple and cheap and effective way would be for the prisons to be upgraded using the prisoners as the labour.
simple
Last Saturday night at 7.00 p.m. I was walking my dog in South Dublin. Passing through Elgin Road, I noticed a dog in a large black Jaguar car. The dog barked loudly - I paid no heed and walked on. It was an extremely cold night. At 11.30 pm while out walking again, the dog was in the car but in clear distress and as any dog lover would I called to a few houses to know who owned the car but to no avail.
I returned to my home and phoned the Gardai at 3 southside locations. They finally came while I sat in my car with my wife and dog at 1.00 a.m. They took the number of the car and drove off. I waited and about 10 minutes later two well-known southside entreprenneurs approached the car......I could see the man getting in behind the wheel was visibly drunk......He drove towards Ballsbridge with no lights on....
I phoned the Gardai on my mobile, gave them the car number, informed them the dog was 6 hours in a car on a freezing cold night and about the what I perceived ..... a drunk behind the wheel.
One sarcastic reply from a Garda Station was 'that it was not a Dog Pound'. I asked for the Garda's name....he put the phone down....
This story gets better. On Monday morning - a lady who works for my brothers from the flats in Beech Hill, Donnybrook, phoned in distress. The woman was at a birthday party at Bective Rugby Club near Donnybrook Garda Station. There were four squad cars there within 5 minutes on the Saturday night - Irishtown, Dun Laoghaire, Harcourt Terrace and of course Donnybrook over the Road....
The woman, a most sincere person and kind human being, told me the Gardai rushed in to a small little row between two young lads and provoked a more serious situation. The people reacted to the Gardai overhanded approach which resulted in one young man being hit on his forehead who had to have 15 stiches and another young man being cornered on the ground by 4 gardai while he was batoned on the calves of his legs and elsewhere. 12 arrests were made and charges were supposed to be brought on the following morning. The charges were assaults on Gardai and Breaches of Peace.
I received a phone call today that all charges are dropped. I use the word Allegations....I don't have the facts yet.......
The selective policing in Dublin 4 is very easy read. One night a friend of mine told me on Wellington Road - 6 young lads drunk and playing ball at 3.00 a.m. awakened many neighbours but you see these were private school boys........the squad arrived and waited while the taxis came to take the boys home. You see when your Daddy is a Doctor, Barrister or Judge in D4 - you are treated in a different way.......it is a different kind of judgement the Gardai apply....
Back to the party - the young lads that were assaulted came from the flats at Beech Hill. These are coporation flats so Daddy is unlikely to be a Judge,,,,,.
I do believe for a number of years now that there are Gardai out of control, totally. Up to now they are only responsible for themselves.....which means they are a law within a law.
Totay I am shocked at the murder of the Latvian mother of two children in Swords. It is great to see the public outcry and Joe Duffy giving the airtime on Liveline but what about the young Dublin girl who was shot a year ago - she also was a mother. There was no public outcry for that girl and I ask why? In Ireland Justice is very selective - now I believe public outcry is getting close to it also....
In the last 5 years, 6 million euros has been paid out to members of the public by Gardai. We all know about Donegal and the Morris Tribunal. We all know about the Wheelock boy, the Rossiter boy and John Carthy. Two Cavan men yesterday received a settlement of 30,000 euros - again from Gardai brutality. I ask what is going on.
Peter Mullen, a Dublin solicitor, said a few years ago - 'the people I represent are more likely to be dispossed inarticulate or on drugs. In court you are facing a Garda who is educated and has the Force behind him. The natural instinct is to believe the Garda. I am glad the two Walsh sisters took the Gardai to court from Store Street Station and received an apology and settlement.
As Fr. Peter McVerry said 'it is impossible to believe that they are all inventing these stories with the view to 'blackening' the name of the Gardai'.
Last week, a taxi driver in his sixties was awarded Euros 85,000 for false arrest and a beating....Donnybrook Station.
Michael McDowell once said 'A Garda in executing the law has to act within that is a fundamental proposition and if you can't accept that, you should not be a Garda'
Now.....There is a question? There are no sackings, it is just large payouts and it is the taxpayer who pays.
In relation to Shell Oil, McDowell is selective in targetting what he calls 'intimidation by Sinn Fein'. Total nonsense. It is sad to see Gardai baton charging our own country people on behalf of Corporatism. McDowell can deploy over 200 gardai at 5.00 a.m. at Bellenaboy, Mayo... again the vulnerable are attacked.
It is intriguing that several months ago, taxi drives blocked the roads in central Dublin for over 5 hours......O'Connell came to a halt but note there was no baton charge or Robot Cop. Robot Cop was at home hiding under the bed watching Anger Managerment. McDowell knew well - if he got rough that day there would be a massive riot. Sadly I believe now that 20% of the Gardai are thugs and little Hitlers.
How do we change this? Do we not still live in a democracy? Ireland is not a Police State.....
I will end by saying - What the Proclamation Stands for and What McDowell and the Gardai now seem to stand for and add in Corporatism, are miles apart. The people of Ireland have the right of accountability within any organisation so why is this accountability available to the people.
Jack Russell says Goodnight. I hope the labrador is treated with the respect he deserves in future from the man who owns the jaguar car....
Those in prison are not "our young people". They are people who are there because they have committed serious offences against others, mainly other young people and working class people. By all means provide educational facilities and treat them properly when they are incarcarated but they must first of learn that they cannot do as they please with impunity. Hence prisons. And by the way, anyone with experience of community work, youth work, anti-social behaviour will tell you that most young offenders have run up dozens of offences, often violent, before they are sent to prison. Giving them "a chance" does not work. Prison may not "work" in terms of making them better people, assuming that is possible, but it does at least punsih them and get them out of circulation for a while.
Observer.
I read your comment to Kevin and seek to disagree. People in prison in our Irish society are Irish citizens/people and what's more they are the responsibility of our society.
What about Moyross? Those who drive on our roads with alchol or drugs above the limits thereby making the car a murder machine.......Do we just give up trying to change attitudes and levels of personal responsibility.
There have been interesting points on the Joe Duffy Show recently about drugs getting into the prisons and people being bored and that boredom being alleviated by the illegal drugs that are sneaked in.
Education is very important given the elongated life spans we have to live....if you don't have the basic education, it is virtually imppossible to get into the web based system that now dictates a Knowledge Economy.
Pat Kenny took a strong view a.m. in the interview with Billy Timmins FG and Willie O'Dea FF. FG are under fire for their proposal last week about a new Young Offenders programme (based on army training self discipline, education focus, programme). The approach is to be based on a Care Social model.....to enhance self esteem. What beggars belief is the fact that Willie O'Dea is the sitting Minister in Limerick for defence. He criticises people who want change in our prisons - Is there an agenda Willie? Moyross is sadly a no go area, high unemployment, no infrastructure of education, especially to give people back their dignity of being Irish.
If this country can entertain 320,000 non nationals (I totally agree with diversity) surely we can all come together and make change in Moyross and O'Malley Park and in Dublin - Summerhill, Sean McDermott Street, Clondalkin and Tallaght and many more areas). These people are not even aware of the Celtic Tiger. It came as all for the chosen few.
Observer - Perhaps you can clarify for me a point? If you are found to be corrupt, is this a criminal offence and do people serve long periods of time in jail? I don't think so......I note the revenue and the CAB have received nearly 5 billion in a year....I don't see much of this re-invested in the prison service or crime prevention. Why the discrepancy re. corruption?
I am sure plenty of ideas float about in prisons. Lord Archer, Nelson Mandela, and our own political prisoners refute your dismissive regard to prisoners........
Remember, a wise judge said 'Knowledge is no load'
Michelle
Michelle
I think you err when you state the Govt/CAB receive Euros 5 billion p.a. Perhaps someone has the figure?
Michelle - watching questions and answers last night, McDowell agreed that education is a key nucleus for a recovery in these impoverished areas (inner city Dublin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, parts of Cork, Galway, and Moyross in Limerick).
Moyross now is on the verge of an all out Gang War between the faction families yet the Media and RTE have a problem with equating just how serious the problem is.
Today we received the findings of the Moriarity Tribunal. As the Judge said, Haughey RIP devalued the democracy of this emerging nation. Euros 45 m in today's terms and yet there is no redress for the family who has now received the estate. Why not? Some Legal Eagle must be able to find a means......for the coffers of the State.
The Taoiseach signed the blank cheques and as the report said he acted improperly (not through ignorance). As Brian Dobson said tonight on the RTE news, 'Bertie, will get the Fool's Pardon' but then he is no fool....it is we the people of Ireland are the fools.
Ireland (on paper) is the third wealthiest country in the world - or so the narrative goes..........yet today as the winter fog descended on Baggot Street environs, it became startly apparent those people sitting on the ground begging ..... a patch perhaps for just an hour but still an alienation of the needs of our people.
A woman maybe 60 ... who knows? sitting out on a pavement near Haddington Road church. Her hands were 'blue' with cold. People passed; and chance was that I had time to speak with her. She was from a well-known travelling family in Athlone..... Her luck is down this Christmas and she and her three children share a bedsit provided by the state that is without heating. They have an electric fire.....Their accommodation equates to the cost of an exclusive bottle of wine for those who, so easily sup the exclusive wine at elitist parties......(Too many stand indicted of corruption but are allowed to mingle......when do we learn how to embrace Ethics, and end corruption at all levels).
A culture of corruption still exists - any gobshite on this island knows the Fianna Fail tent at the Galway Races isn't for the adoration of Padre Pio. It is Euros2,500 a head - where does the money go? The Bailey brothers who recently gave the revenue a payment of arrears tax of Euros 22 m, are regular visitors to the infamous tent of corruption.
I ask tonight what other country would accept these Ethics from their Government leader and ministers i.e. apart from Columbia.....I scratch my head. Tonight I ask the lecturers the Trinity, UCD, DCU, UL, and all other universities and institutes to come out and speak. Let us hear their view on Transparency, Accountability, Ethics and the changes we need to make. All week we hear about Gangland and the Government's response - I like any Irish citizen want rid of gangland but also I want rid of the other gangland (in our Government). I ask when does this corruption stop.
The Detour with handouts must halt.
Reports exist from over the decades that have never been embraced or implemented.
One that deserves attention presently is Crime and Punishment edited by Sean MacBride
The Irish Penal System Commission Report (Michael D. Higgins, Senator Gemma Hussey, Dr. Mary McAleese; Matt Merrigan; Una O'Higgins O'Malley.....1982
Kevin T. Walsh
Quotation:
'George Santayana: 'Those who forget history are condemned to repeat it'
How many enquiries do we need into hideous mysterious deaths in this country?
Our prisons are overcrowded and somehow the objectives of our Penal System are being usurped and the Rule of Law is not being upheld.
The objective of our penal system is rooted in :
Retribuntion factor? Punishment factor? Reform? and Rehabilitation, followed by re-integration into society - this is discussed in Crime and Punishment book which was edited by Sean MacBride. in the 1970's.
I ask about inner city three generation crime and impact?
I ask why? Who really writes the reports and understands the needs of people prone to criminality?
Does anyone know about Kevin Walsh's view of the Block in Cork particularly the punishment?
Michelle Clarke
Quotation
'Love does not consist in gazing at each other but looking outward together in the same direction'
Now there is a challenge to the IPRT. ICCL, Justice Equality and Law Reform, Universities involved in research into criminality, the Judiciaiary, the Gardai, the Special Branch, Restorative Justice and linkages with other countries.
Michelle
Michelle
Your article seems to seek Justice for these youngsters facing the courts.
Environment is the nucleus to any problem - Irish or global so let's put this into perspective. We swap babies, we take Ambrose from D4 to Moyross and then we take baby jack from Moyross to D4. Now Ambrose in Moyross who is now sixteen has left school early, no job, no money and makes the few hundred dealing cash every week.
Baby Jack is in his final year in Belvedere and then going on to study Law in UCD.
7 years later......Young Ambrose is doing life for a gangland shoot. He is sitting in his prison cell and he is thinking 'I shouldn't be here'.....'Why am I here?.......I should have a job, a girlfriend, a house, a car - I should be somebody. In the meantime in Dublin 4, Jack has just been called to the Bar after a year out on a world tour. One of his friends says 'Well Done and Jack replies - I had good parents, they had money, I got private school, university and I just responded to the educational opportunities presented to me.
Now I ask Society who is to blame. Of course, it is our Court system (penal code). Not alone was Ambrose mislaid at the hyospital but his whole life was taken away from him because of the change in address. Ambrose was going to Moyross when he was born and Jack was heading for D4.
You see folks - that is how simple it is. We as taxpayers have spent millions on research into socioloy, psychology, criminology, from Trinity to UCD to Galway universities. What really is going on and who has the best interests of these youngsters at heart? Is it not the prerogative of some less scrupolous researchers to gather information on these people and use it to exceptional personal financial gain. Some expenses equate to as much as Euros 60,000 per person researched..
Research overall in this country costs the taxpayer in excess Euros 70 million. I ask thta a system of accountability, ethics and practice be applied to such research. I would like to see Regulators appointed in the various Universities as Watchdogs.
The areas where gangland occurs needs the nucleous of education, support groups, community services, It will work. These areas need care and attention not State intimidation.
Revival of old customs could help like 'Neighbouring'.
Now let's return to the word Environment. Jack the up and coming Barrister, the pride of his family, on Elgin Lane, is having a party on the lane..........His girlfriend Siobhan, a young doctor, shouts Jack 'Will you give me a hand to pour the sherry!! Jack can't hear her.......he is in the cellar snorting coke......Two of his firends - one a Judge's son, one a Dentists son, are out of their heads, on the floor. Now these idiots are promotion Ambrose and others in the trafficking of drugs in Moyross and throughout Ireland.
Now there is a Paradox for you.
Kevin T. Walsh
Quotations
Size - Dalai Lama Temporal and Spiritual Leader Tibet
'If you think you are too small to to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito'
or
Margaret Mead US Antropologist (1901 to 1978), Antropologist, Outspoken on Women's rights, and Environment
'Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committeed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has'
I think prison dont change anybody and as for Cork punishment Block is herrific, My husbannd is in the midlands Prison in Portlaoise he got a 8 yrs sentence and has spent 9 Christmases in there to date I will always stand buy him no matter what. I will never stop loving him but the standards way they have them in boxers and a blanket from who ever was there before him is sick there will be a hugh diseses and then they will see were they went wrong. We were going too get married I wrote a letter to the Gov and they wouldnt let use WHY ?
Just saw your reply and thought I would give a brief reply.
Their must be much personal pain attached to having a loved one in prison for so long - 9 Christmases is a lot.
It seems really unfair that you were not allowed to get married.
I know the Irish Penal Reform Trust, Amnesty, Irish Human Rights and Mr. Justice Kinlan are supportets of major reform in the prison service.
Michelle
It is far too simple and shallow to attribute criminality (or the lack of it) to upbringing and background. Sure, you can trot out the stock cliches of Ambrose from M\yross and Jack from leafy D4 who go on to become dealer and barrister respectively. But of course its not that simple. Many, many people grow up in Moyross and don't become criminals. Many, many people who grow up in D4 do become criminals. Not burglars, joyriders or small time dealers of course. These people become serious criminals who steal and illegally get their hands on huge amounts of money - their crimes are tax evasion, insider trading, corruption, bribery, breaches of company law, breaches of health and safety law, breaches of various worker protection laws. They are rarely detected, even more rarely convicted and almost never imprisoned. The real scandal is that rich criminals escape justice NOT that poor criminals don't. The criminal justice system is designed to put poor criminals in jail and it does this reasonably effectively. It fails utterly to put even the most serious rich criminals in jail. Many on the left (falsely) generalise this to a proposition that because "only the poor go to jail" then jail must be a bad thing. Thus the left opposes the use of prison as a response to crime and, worse still, tends to excuss or dismiss crime as "poverty driven". Better to use imprisonment for ALL serious crime, both of the "white collar" and "ordinary" variety. It's time to admit that some individuals are predisposed to commit crime. They have the personality traits and tendencies, independent of their social background, that generate criminal tendencies. They are sociopathic, selfish, aggressive, ruthless and manipulative. Where social backgroiund WILL make a difference is the TYPE of crime they commit. This type of personality, growing up in Moyross, will probably end up in gangland crime. But if our embryonic Limerick gangboss was switched at birth and grew up in D4 and went to Belvedere his inherent criminal instincts would still emerge. But it would be a different type of crime. Probably with worse effects for society.
Scrolled only the other day to your posting. I real liked your opinion.
Realistically, when one thinks it through, the outcome of changing environment from Moyroaa to Dublin 4, Belvedere - within the realms of social and education - crime would apply to the wrongdoing, but only a different kind of crime.
The realms of Power and Money would possibly dictate outcomes.......
Happy Easter
Jack Russell
Dear Jack,
Did you know McDowell, yourself and myself have got one thing in common - I have a Jack Russell called Jack and so as Mickey Mac.....You - I presume a .........
Where do we go from here? Sorry it took me so long to respond to your comments about a birth switch and outcome between Moyross and Dublin 4.
Your posting very interesting and above all - strange to this site, is intelligent . But Ambrose you forgot one vital point - I was being sarastic and metaphorical in my article. I was making a laugh of the Justice system and making an even bigger laugh about the new Justice Act to be launched in the Senate on Friday next. What I am saying Jack is - if you happen to have a dog yourself - presuming it is either a shitzu or a cocker spaniel, in this Act on Friday, if either lift their legl outside a PD office in Ranelagh, they can be held by Gardai for seven days without barking sorry I meant talking. Only Sinn Fein and the Greens objected to this new Bill, Labour and Fine Gael shamefully abstained.
Now Mr. Jack Ambrose I ask you a question tonight. Where is the alternative Government given two abstensions of Labour and Fine Gael? In relation to more powers to Gardai (who have been in 2 Tribunals severely criticised i.e. Barr and Morris, reasons being corruption, bribery and lies that went across the whole of Donegal Gardai. As Justice Hardiman said, it went beyond the realms of belief.
You talk about Moyross and decent people and I agree with you. Moyross needs infrastructure, education and a sense of community again - above all it needs psychologists, at least 3, to come in via the schools and work with parents. Surely, we can afford this. If Bertie could take Cecelia to see the Great Wall of China on taxpayers money we surely can afford to help the people of Limerick.
Bertie wasn't showing Cecelia the Wall of China, he was really showing her a Wall between himself, the PD's in denial from reality, on the other side of the Wall and this reality today Jack goes across every service in Ireland.
We know about our health system, we have the water crisis in Galway and this evening it is a water crisis for Waterford also. The sewage problem nationwide is beyond belieft. We have built over 50,000 houses in the last 10 years with a sewage system to accommodate only 28% of that number - now there is a problem Jack.
I often wondered - after the Galway Races and Bertie's Tent - who empties the septic tank. Rumour has it, it is P. Flynn dressed up as an astronaut pouring out all the dodgy sh.. from the tank. Can you imagine Jack before I close the Bailey Brothers after 10 pints of Guinness - my God for the first time in my life I have sympathy for P. Flynn......
The Celtic Tiger came Jack and conquered for the few and the greedy (developers) and those Friends in High Places. The Haughey ere goes on - we have had Manchester and the handouts. When do the Irish people say enough is enough. When do we say stop?
I will finally close - the finding of the 4 bodies in tragic circumstances on Monday last in Wexford - I ask why such desperation. A country awash with money, now in the top 3 wealthiest in the world do not provide weekend services (public) for people with depression. Along the way Jack we sadly lost our morals and that will become the biggest debt we will ever owe as human beings. We have lost our sense of caring.
K. T. Walsh
Thomas Jefferson
'Nothing then is unchangeable but the inherent and inalienable rights of man'
Mary, a few months ago you wrote back to me in relation to the block in Cork. At the moment I am doing some research into our penal system and what you wrote slightly baffles me, with respect.
Your partner, received according to you, 8 years. With remission he should do about 5 years plus so why is he in for 9 Christmasses? Is there something else, you did not mention here? I would be very interested in receiving a response and I would try to help you (privately) in any way I can.
Kevin T. Walsh