CLAIMING that he is “assaulted by prison guards” each and every time he is brought to Limerick Prison, 22-year-old Ray McDonagh, currently serving a sentence in the Midlands Prison, pleaded with a judge sitting at Limerick District Court, not to return him to the Mulgrave Street facility. Ray McDonagh, with an address at Fanningstown, Fedamore, made the claims at the District Court after he politely asked if he could speak to the judge during his proceedings.
He was appearing in relation to five criminal damage charges that have been preferred against him, and the full directions of the DPP are being sought.
The Director of Public Prosecutions indicated that the Book of Evidence was not ready, and Inspector Seamus Ruane sought a brief adjournment in the matter. Sarah Ryan solicitor stood in and represented McDonagh in the absence of his regular legal aid representation through solicitor John Devane.
Judge Aeneas McCarthy granted the adjournment under consent from the accused and put the matter back for two weeks.
At that point, McDonagh looked to address the judge and made the claim that he was serving a lengthy sentence in the Midlands, but each time he was brought to Limerick Prison, he further claimed he was assaulted by the guards and “I then assault them back and that just gets me back here for more charges”.
He went on to plead to be returned to the Midlands and asked Judge McCarthy if there “was any way he could be sent back there”.
Judge McCarthy told the prisoner that he did not have any jurisdiction to make such an order, adding that it was a matter for the court services and the prison board.
McDonagh claimed that his pleas in the prison were falling on deaf ears as commented before being taken away that “I’ve spoken to the governor and everything on this and nothing has happened”.
Judge McCarthy adjourned the matter until December 22 next.
