AN Irish prisoner who was allegedly chained to a prison officer for 24 hours a day while she, received hospital treatment for AIDS has been refused bail by a London court.
No reason was given for refusing bail, according to the woman's solicitor, who said she was far too ill to walk more than a couple of hundred yards" and not an escape risk.
The 34 year old woman, identified as "Jane", was arrested last November and charged with conspiracy to supply heroin. She has since been on remand in Holloway Prison.
While receiving treatment at St Mary's Hospital in west London for AIDS related illnesses, including hepatitis, shed was allegedly shackled to a prison officer at all times.
An emergency application for bail was heard yesterday following protests over the woman's case. This follows protests after recent reports that Holloway prisoners were shackled while giving birth.
"Jane" moved to London in 1993 to receive treatment, having being diagnosed in Dublin as HIV positive 10 years ago.