Proposal for new Cork prison branded ‘a disgrace’

Public representatives on the northside of the city have raised concerns about plans for the old Cork Prison.

The building looks set to be demolished and a new prison built there, larger than both the old and the current facility, with one TD calling the plans “an absolute disgrace”.

The new plans, which were brought to Cabinet yesterday by justice minister Jim O’Callaghan, mean that, for the first time, female prisoners will be accommodated in Cork, with the new prison set to cater for 230 male inmates and a further 100 females.

Female prisons are persistently the most overcrowded in Ireland — Limerick and Mountjoy’s female units were at 148% and 130% capacity, respectively, yesterday.

There were 350 people in the current Cork Prison yesterday, meaning that it was operating at 118% of its capacity of 296, and 54 people were sleeping on the floor.

Demolition

The demolition and full rebuild of the old prison is estimated to be complete by the first quarter of 2031 under the new plans, which also include more spaces at the Midlands Prison, Castlerea, the Dóchas Centre, Wheatfield, and Mountjoy.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North-Central Pádraig O’Sullivan told The Echo that he had ed the minister about the plans, and has asked him to talk to the Irish Prison Service and see if they need to use the full site, or if they could put some of it to use for the community with something like a boxing club.

“I would have lobbied for an extension to the prison; it’s logical with the capacity issues we’re having,” he said.

Disgrace

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould told The Echo that the plans are “an absolute disgrace”.

“Shame on this Government for even considering an announcement like this without even the courtesy of speaking to the people of the Glen and surrounding areas,” he said.

“This shows the level of disrespect Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have for our communities. There is no justification for putting this in the middle of a residential area that already has a prison. Surely there is a greenfield site somewhere else that would be suitable.”

Labour Party councillor John Maher, who lives beside the prison, told The Echo: “This is a disgraceful decision and a kick to the Glen, Dillon’s Cross, and St Luke’s communities, and all communities across the northside. Fianna Fáil have left the people down.

“They would be better off visiting and speaking with these communities to see the actual needs rather than secret ministerial meetings, but no — instead, they just give these communities the two fingers and seek to build another prison.

“I would also question the evidence that prison works, because to date it’s a revolving door for many prisoners, and I believe early intervention through education, trades, and rehabilitation for many of these prisoners is better than prison.”