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Dáil
‹ An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

Tom McHugh prison protection

Summary

Deputy Tóibín warned that Tom McHugh, who exposed drug trafficking in Portlaoise Prison, was living in fear after threats and attacks. The Taoiseach said there was a procedure for protected closures and would ask the Minister for Justice to look into it.

Tom McHugh was the assistant chief officer of the A-Block in Portlaoise Prison. The block houses the most dangerous criminals in the State. He was asked to investigate drug trafficking in the prison. He carried out his job and reported the information to the management. One morning, a prisoner, who was an enforcer for a well known criminal gang and was well known for knife crime, told the governor that three staff approached him and asked him to cut Tom McHugh up. The Naughton report vindicated that particular situation, but since then Tom has been living in fear. He has undergone a number of near life-threatening attacks and has received threats on a near daily basis. He is off sick and is unable to work. He is facing poverty. He has made a protected disclosure. He has been left to hang with no support from the State after serving it in a difficult situation. Will the Taoiseach make sure that he has an income until his protected disclosure case is heard?

Comment on this

There is a set procedure for how protected closures are dealt with. I am not familiar with the full details of this case. I do not know whether the Deputy has raised it with the-----

Comment on this

I have raised it with two Ministers for justice and two Taoisigh.

Comment on this

With the Ministers for justice. That is fine.

Comment on this

You are the third Taoiseach with whom I have raised the matter.

Comment on this

I cannot intervene in every case, but I will ask the Minister for justice for his perspective on this to see what the situation is and what help can be given.

Comment on this