Madam, - Mountjoy prison governor John Lonergan has assertedthat the proposed new prison at Thornton Hall is being developed "without any reference to research" (The Irish Times,October 20th). This is further evidence that responsibility for the Irish prison system should now be removed from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The savage killing of Gary Douche last August in Mountjoy was indicative of the Department's failure over many years to engage in a meaningful way with the Mountjoy male prisoner.
It makes no sense from an economic or social point of view to continue with the present set-up. And before we are committed to a total mess in Thornton Hall no design plans for the new prison should be agreed until the Irish prison system is the sole responsibility of its own dedicated minister. - Yours, etc,
GARRETT SHEEHAN,
Francis Street,
Dublin 8.