SICK HEROIN ADDICT WINS BID FOR REVIEW OF JAIL SERVICE

A CHRONIC heroin addict whose health is deteriorating was granted leave by
the High Court to issue judicial review proceedings against the country's
prison service.

The 32-year-old man, who has lost two brothers to heroin and whose sister
is also an addict, has claimed he is being subjected to "cruel and unusual
punishment" as a result of the failure to place him on a drug treatment and
rehabilitation programme while in prison.

A chronic addict since 1990, he says he is continuing to use heroin
regularly and has shared needles with other prisoners. As a result he has
health problems, often vomiting blood, his body is covered with needle
marks and cuts and he is losing the sight of one eye.

He applied on three occasions for a place on a drug treatment programme in
Mountjoy jail but was refused each time, claims the man, who is serving an
eight-year sentence for burglarly, robbery and criminal damage to which he
pleaded guilty.

He was in Mountjoy prison but was moved to a midlands prison.

Mr Justice O Caoimh on Wednesday asked the State to outline what, if any,
proposals are to be put in place to provide treatment and rehabilitation
for the man.

When the matter came back before the court yesterday, counsel John Doherty,
for the governor, read a letter from prison service director-general Sean
Aylward stating that "for operational reasons" the man was transferred on
November 23 last to the midlands jail, where medical services included two
full-time doctors and 15 nurses who provided 24-hour medical cover.

Methadone maintenance was "not currently provided" at the prison but in any
event the man had not been considered by medical authorities to be "a
suitable candidate" for it.

Mr Justice O Caoimh, granting leave to seek judicial review, adjourned the
matter for mention to next Wednesday.