One of the most violent prisoners in the State is demanding to be released from solitary confinement.
Brendan Cummins was placed in the National Violence Reduction Unit three and a half years ago after being convicted of a spree of violent crimes.
The 27-year-old was born in England and grew up in Dundalk where he had a tough upbringing.
“From the age of 15, he’s spent nearly every year of his life in prison - with some gaps in between,” Conor Gallagher, Crime and Security Correspondent of the Irish Times, explained to Moncrieff.
“During those gaps, he would invariably commit another assault and go back into prison or commit an assault in prison on an officer.”
During his most recent arrest, Cummins fought back against Gardaí using a samurai sword and since his return to jail has continued to use physical force against those around him.
There are only nine cells in the National Violence Reduction Unit and Cummins has been placed there because he is judged a risk to staff and other inmates.
The Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. Image: Eamon Farrell/RollingNews“Cummins, because of his record, has been in the most secure [part] even within that Violence Reduction Unit,” Mr Gallagher said.
“He is locked up for 23 hours a day and he gets one hour of exercise alone outside.
“His lawyers say his dinner is pushed under the door and whenever he is moved he is subjected to what is called barrier handling - that’s the technical term for being surrounded by prison officers in riot gear, holding riot shields.
“That’s for him to go to his exercise, for him to go to his medical appointments, whenever he leaves his cell basically.”
His lawyers told the High Court that his treatment is “inhumane and degrading”, noting that the UN classifies solitary confinement for more than 15 days as torture.
They also claim that his detention under Rule 62 (as solitary confinement is officially labelled) is exacerbating his violent behaviour.
“He told a psychologist that he becomes aggressive towards prison guards in order to break up the boredom of being in a 23 hour lockup,” Mr Gallagher said.
The case will be heard in the High Court next month.
Main image: A prisoner in handcuffs arriving at The Four Courts in Dublin Photo: Leon Farrell Photocall Ireland
