Solicitor wants expert to investigate CCTV cameras in Midlands Prison
The Midlands Prison in Portlaoise
A SOLICITOR asked Judge Susan Fay to make an order allowing a forensic scientist into the Midlands Prison to investigate the layout of CCTV cameras on D wing, Landing 2. The solicitor’s client is an inmate who is accused of assaulting a prison officer.
The request came when Gerard Manning (45) of 17 Upper Gerald Griffin Street, Limerick appeared before last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court by video link. He was charged with the offence, which allegedly took place at the prison on 1 July 2021.
Solicitor John Cullen said that on foot of an order from the court he was sent CCTV footage from the prison landing at the time of the alleged offence, which was very bad quality and “seemed cropped”.
He sought footage from other CCTV cameras that are located around D wing.
Mr Cullen stated that his client said “there are multiple CCTV cameras around the prison”.
Sergeant Rowan Casey said that CCTV footage had been obtained from the Irish Prison Service and sent to the defence solicitor.
He said: “If the forensic scientist wants to enter the prison, I’m sure it would have security implications and would require the consent of the governor.” “It has significant implications to my client, who is entitled to have a fair trial,” said Mr Cullen.
Addressing Mr Cullen, Judge Susan Fay said: “Are you asking me to make an order to the governor to allow a person in and see the CCTV coverage in the prison? I think you need to give notice to the governor of the prison and to the state if you intend to apply for permission to do that. I’d imagine there’d be a need for significant background checks on the person seeking to go into the prison.” Mr Cullen said that he would write to the gardaí and prison service in relation to his request.
Judge Fay adjourned the case to 24 March to allow time for Mr Manning to decide whether he wished to plead guilty or not guilty to the charge, and in the meantime she told Mr Cullen and Sgt Casey: “You might be able to resolve the matter between yourselves.”
