By Ronan Maher

news@sligopost.com

Minister Jimmy Devins has defended his position following the revelation that he forwarded a request to the Justice Minister for the early release of a violent criminal.

A report in Monday’s Irish Independent said Mr Devins made representations in June 2006 on behalf of a Sligo-man jailed for eight years in Castlerea Prison, for assault causing harm.

This comes as documents, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show over 50 representations were made on behalf of prisoners by senior politicians in just over a year.

The Sligo-North Leitrim TD stated that he did not make a formal request to then Justice Minister Michael McDowell, but instead gave him a letter sent to him by the offender’s mother requesting leniency.

Speaking on a local radio station he said: “I was approached by the mother of a man who was serving a sentence in Castlerea Prison and his situation was coming up for review  and she asked me to forward a letter that she had written to Minister McDowell and I did so.

“He (Minister McDowell) then gave me the address of the parole board and I sent that address to the lady in question and that was my involvement in the case,” he said

Victim support group, AdVic, has criticised all politicians who lobbied the Justice Minister for their ‘lack of consideration’.

When asked if politicians considered the feelings of victims of crime before they made their requests for leniency, Minister Devins was adamant that they did.

“I do [think ministers consider the victims], and I would have considered that…obviously the victim is the most important person when any crime has been committed and their aspects or views must be taken into consideration and the Parole Board does that,” concluded Minister Devins