Laois-Offaly TD and Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan has spoken about the early release of prisoners, the fast-tracking of Garda recruits and the responsibility of publicans, and the public in general, as the country attempts to limit the spread of the global Coronavirus pandemic.
Speaking with Pat Kenny on Newstalk he said he expects that the way will be cleared for the early release of prisoners who are near the end of their sentences this week.
He also said that extra powers can be processed at short notice to deal with incidents that may arise during this time.
And he explained that there is an arrangement with publicans to keep their doors closed and for lock-ins not to be organised – and “the expectation is that that will be fully honoured”.
The availability of extra Gardai and changes to the rosters will ensure the force is maximised.
“The important thing here is that there are significant measures being taken across a range of sectors including the Garda Siochana,” he said.
“We’re seeing a number of changes introduced and a number of proposed changes to happen later on. Changes in the roster, deferring senior retirement. The key thing being availability of Garda Siochana on the streets and visibility. And that’s what we’re seeing.”
He explained that there are now almost 15,000 Gardai and “one of the new measures will see the accelerating of the recruit gardai from Templemore”.
“They will be on the streets assisting with their senior colleagues as the emergency requires.
“The rosters have been changed to increase availabilty. Annual leave has been restricted and extra garda vehicles are already on the streets to the order of an extra 200 vehicles drafted in to assist the current fleet.”
While the agreement with the publicans was one that was entered into voluntarily and isn’t binding, he added that “should extra legal powers be required … it can be done at short notice”.
At the moment all pubs have agreed to close voluntarily but he says he doesn’t “envisage people sneaking in to public houses through the back door no more than through the front door. Agreement has been reached with the publicans. The expectation is that that will be fully honoured”.
In the event of public order not being maintained, “powers can be introduced at short notice”.
“Avoidance of social contact is the key here. Taking the precautions that have been advised by the public health officials over the past number of weeks in terms of personal hygene, of social contact, of social distancing.
“In the event of public order needed to maintained have an extensive suite of public order legislation. We are a country that has come 30 years of troubles unlike many of our European counterparts.
“We have very extensive public order legislations. We have the Health Act of 1947 … that carries extensive powers in a health emergency that we are now seeing.
“We don’t envisage new legislation having to be introduced but there are means by which it can be done.”
And in terms of the early release of prisoners, he says that only those who are not high-risk offenders and those close to the end of their prison term will be let out.
“Prisons are high risk environments (for the spread of Coronavirus).
“We have in excess of 4,000 prisoners in the country. Prisoners by definition are vulnerable people (and) it’s important that we ensure that our prisons are safe places.
“(There will be) an increased regime of temporary releases – where prisoners who are coming near the end of their sentence. Many have only a few months, some with just weeks to go. These will now be considered for temporary release.
“Of course it is essential, that any prisoners released do not represent a threat to the public. There are stringent conditions attached … (but) I expect that to happen this week.”
SEE ALSO – Isabel Dwyer: What it was like to be an Irish student in an effected area in Spain
