The visit was carried out within the CPT’s programme of periodic visits for 2002. It was the Committee’s third visit to Ireland. The CPT visited a number of police stations, prisons and psychiatric establishments, in particular in Dublin and Cork. In the report, the Committee pays particular attention to the treatment of persons detained by the Garda Síochána (police) and measures taken to improve conditions of detention and health care services in prison. It also examines the situation of detained children and of persons cared for in the Central Mental Hospital and in institutions for the mentally disabled.

The response sets out steps taken by the Irish Government in the light of the CPT’s recommendations; they include measures to provide additional activities for prisoners and the development of national standards for institutions for persons with mental disabilities. The Government has also announced its intention to publish shortly draft legislation for the establishment of an independent Garda Síochána Inspectorate.

 The report and response are available on the CPT’s website http://www.cpt.coe.int