Courts / Laois / Report

Prison inmate unable to meet with solicitor as she kept setting off metal detector, High Court hears

Date
2014-11-25
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Portlaoise
County
Laois

Summary

Ming Liu, a Chinese national serving a four‑year sentence for a drugs offence at Portlaoise Prison, has taken his case to the High Court after his solicitor, Ms Eileen McCabe, was repeatedly denied entry to the prison because she set off the metal detector. Ms McCabe had travelled to Portlaoise to meet Liu to discuss whether he could qualify for remission of his sentence. Prior to the meeting she passed through the detector multiple times, each time the alarm triggered, despite her having no metal objects. Security staff informed her she could not enter, citing a strict policy that prohibits anyone who triggers the detector from entering the prison. Ms McCabe offered to undergo a body search or use a handheld detector, but was told the policy could not be altered.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Prison inmate unable to meet with solicitor as she kept setting off metal detector, High Court hears. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: by Aodhan O"Faolain An inmate at Portlaoise Prison says he has been unable to instruct his solicitor because she kept setting off the metal detector, the High Court has heard. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ming Liu

Defendant

Outcome: Ming Liu is serving a four year sentence for a drugs offence, however in High Court proceedings he claims his solicitor Ms Eileen McCabe has been told by the Prison authorities she cannot enter the prison as long as she keeps setting off the metal detector. Feichin McDonagh SC, for Liu, said the visit was arranged to determine if he qualifies for remission of his sentence.

Places mentioned

Facility
Court Venue
  • High Court
Journey Or Route

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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