Prisoners in Mountjoy living ‘in luxury’ claims Erris county councillor

ERRIS-based councillor Gerry Coyle has claimed inmates in Mountjoy Prison are living ‘in luxury’ that is the equivalent to the Burlington Hotel.

Cllr Coyle made his remarks at a meeting of Mayo’s Joint Policing Committee, which passed a motion calling for a review of the free legal aid system.

The Fine Gael councillor said that there was ‘no proper deterrent’ for criminals because of free legal aid and conditions in the country’s prisons.

“The only difference between Mountjoy and the Burlington is that you don’t have the keys to the room. Because once they are in there, they spend their time in luxury,” said Cllr Coyle, who called from “a different approach [to be] taken to these thugs and these murderers.”

Earlier this year, the State’s independent inspector of prisons, Mark Kelly, outlined serious concerns regarding ‘degrading’ overcrowded conditions in Mountjoy Prison.

Referring to the recent Dublin riots, where approximately 60 gardaí were injured, Cllr Coyle described assaults on gardaí as ‘an attack on all of us’.

He then hit out at the free legal aid system, stating: “If I confronted a robber in my business tonight and he hits me with an iron bar, the money I paid in my taxes in October will be used to defend him against me – it doesn’t matter how many times he comes in and does it.”

Cllr Michael Kilcoyne echoed Cllr Coyle’s concerns around the free legal aid system, which cost almost €430 million between 2009 and 2016.

Those with an annual disposable income of less than €18,000 and disposable assets of less than €100,000 – excluding the value of the person’s house - are entitled to apply for free legal aid.

Successful applicants must pay an ‘advice contribution’ between €30 and up to €150.

If a solicitor agrees to represent them in court, they must pay an ‘aid contribution’ of at least €130.

There is no contribution liable in a small number of cases.

“Most of these people in Dublin, when their cases come before the courts, they will all get free legal aid, not just once, but 101 times if they offend 101 times. That needs to be reviewed,” said Cllr Kilcoyne.

The Independent councillor then proposed that the Mayo JPC write to the Minister for Justice and all six Mayo Oireachtas members asking that that the free legal aid system be changed.

Cllr Christy Hyland seconded the proposal, adding that a referendum should be held on the matter if necessary.

The constitution currently provides the right to legal advice and legal representation to those who cannot afford to pay for it.