The governor of Castlerea Prison has rejected claims that an inmate of the prison has been subject to "special treatment" and kept in his cell 23 hours a day.
Daniel Scannell was giving evidence in proceedings by Michael Byrne who claims that, because of an unfounded belief that he was involved with republican paramilitaries, he has received "special treatment" at the prison. Byrne is challenging the legality of his detention under Article 40 of the Constitution.
Cross-examined yesterday by Patrick Russell, for Byrne, Mr Scannell said he did not hold any file on the prisoner.
Byrne is serving a sentence for conspiracy to commit fraud by falsely representing that a number of road accidents had occurred.
Asked about Byrne being allegedly held for 23 hours a day in his cell, the governor said that was not the case. Questioned about a claim that Byrne had spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in his underpants in a cold punishment cell, Mr Scannell said he had never placed anybody in isolation as a punishment.
Mr Scannell rejected the suggestion that he was vindictive or unfair to Byrne.
The hearing before Mr Justice O'Neill continues today.