McEntee refuses to publish report on women’s prison allegations

Helen McEntee

Ms McEntee was given the report of the inquiry undertaken by Patricia Gilheaney under Section 31(2) of the Prisons Act on February 15. Ms Gilheaney resigned a day later and there has been speculation she was stonewalled while carrying out the inquiry.

On the basis of legal advice, the justice minister has refused to publish the report, which looks at the treatment of women at the Dochas Centre during the pandemic. It is the second report she has been given by the Inspector of Prisons concerning Mountjoy. The first one has not yet been published and the two are said to be linked.

The nature of the allegations examined by Ms Gilheaney and the Prison Inspectorate is unknown.

Opposition TDs have criticised Ms McEntee’s handling of issues in the prison system. Martin Kenny, Sinn Fein spokesman on justice issues, said: “The Section 31 report should be released in the public interest. The public has a right to know about issues within the prison system.”

He added: “It’s very hard to get answers from Helen McEntee about anything. Everything coming from the Department of Justice and her office is aimed at giving a positive impression of her without any questioning of her performance. It’s all about spin and presenting a positive image. The public needs to see these reports.”

He said he planned to call Ms Gilheaney as a witness to determine the facts as soon as possible.

A spokesman for Ms McEntee said: “The inspector of prisons’ three day monitoring report of the Dóchas Centre was received in the Department in August 2020. The inspector was also asked to carry out an investigation into matters arising in the Dóchas Centre, under section 31(2) of the Prisons Act and it has always been the intention to consider both of these reports together.

“In relation to the section 31(2) investigation report, this was submitted to the minister by the inspector on 15 February 2022 and it is currently being examined by officials. Based on legal advice received, it is not proposed to publish this report at this time, and in light of this, further comment on its findings would not be appropriate.”