3 babies born to inmates in Irish prisons and 19 pregnant women jailed to date in 2025
According to the new figures provided by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O'Callaghan TD, four infants aged under 12 months, three at Dóchas and one at Limerick - have been accommodated with their mothers at the female prisons to date this year.
Advertisement
This followed three infants being accommodated with their mothers at Dochas Centre only in 2024.
The three babies born to inmates across the Irish prison estate this year follow four babies born to inmates in 2024.
This followed no babies born to prison inmates in 2023 and 2022 and there was only baby born to a woman jailed at Dóchas Centre prison at the time during 2021 and 2020.
In written Dail replies to Deputies Gary Gannon TD and Matt Carthy TD, Minister O'Callaghan confirmed that two babies have been born to inmates at Dóchas Centre to date this year and one baby to an inmate at the 50-capacity Limerick's women's prison.
Advertisement
In the replies, Minister O'Callaghan also reveals that in 2025, 19 pregnant women have imprisoned at Irish prisons - 13 at Dóchas and six at Limerick.
This followed 27 pregnant women being jailed last year - 22 at Dóchas and five at Limerick and the 27 total was more than double the 12 total for 2023.
In his reply Minister O'Callaghan told the two deputies: 'I can confirm that there are currently no pregnant women remanded to custody within the Irish Prison Estate.'
He said: 'Pregnant woman in custody are provided with as much privacy as possible and are accommodated in single occupancy rooms.'
Advertisement
He said that in accordance with prison rules 'a child may remain in the care of their mother in prison, until the child has reached twelve months of age'
He added that, in the Dóchas Centre, mothers and babies are accommodated in single occupancy double rooms.
'These rooms are on a small landing which is shared with enhanced status prisoners. Work is commencing in relation to additional, bespoke rooms for mothers and babies in the Dóchas Centre.'
'Limerick Women's Prison does not have a separate building for women with children, however the women and their babies are accommodated in 'independent style apartments'.
Advertisement
'Each has their own individual apartment. This overall area is not specifically for women with babies and may house other prisoners deemed suitable to live in these "independent style apartments'.
O'Callaghan said that, in relation to the health and safety of pregnant women in custody, the Irish Prison Service has developed and apply bespoke risk assessments to both pregnant women and to mothers and babies who are in their custody.
'These risk assessments inform strategies which support managing the health and safety of pregnant women, and mothers who have given birth to babies whilst serving prison sentences, within the prison environment.'
He said that the Irish Prison Service employs a National Family Connections Officer and Iin May 2025 this officer established a multi-agency working group to review Protocols and update the Irish Prison Service Mother and Baby Policy to ensure best practice for the care and support of mothers and babies in custody.
Advertisement
He said: 'This work is currently at scoping stage.'
Minister O'Callaghan said that 'the level of maternity care and supports provided to women in custody, is comparable to that available to women in the community'.
Ireland
Private properties used to house Ukrainian refugee...
Read More
"Primary care nursing is provided in female prisons on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Doctor services are available Monday to Friday 9-5, with locum services available at the weekends.
"Due to the specific needs of a number of the women who are pregnant, specialist HSE services have a very close and responsive working relationship with both prison management and the prison healthcare team.
'Most pregnant women receive all their antenatal care external to the prison, in routine antenatal clinics in the local HSE maternity hospital. When needed and in cases of emergency, specialist midwives will attend the prison; however, this is not a common occurrence.'
He added that 'expectant mothers are always facilitated to have their children born in hospital'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ITV News
4 hours ago
- ITV News
Armagh All-Ireland winner Aidan Nugent ordered to stand trial facing eight charges of sexual assault
Armagh All-Ireland winner Aidan Nugent has been ordered to stand trial in the Crown Court, facing eight charges of sexual assault. Appearing in the dock of Armagh Magistrates Court, sitting in Newry, the 31-year-old confirmed he was aware of the charges against him, all of them alleged to have been committed 'in the United States of America,' on 17 November last year. Nugent, from the Cullyhanna Road in Newtownhamilton, faces seven charges of sexual assault and one of sexual assault involving penetration, alleged to have been committed against a single complainant. It is understood to be the Crown case that the offences were committed in America, when the Armagh GAA team travelled to Miami in Florida to celebrate the team's All-Ireland win - their first All-Ireland title in 22 years after they clinched victory over Galway at Croke Park in July. During a brief preliminary enquiry court on Tuesday, the legal step necessary for any case to be returned to the Crown Court, a prosecuting lawyer submitted there is a prima facie case against Nugent. Nugent's defence solicitor Patrick Higgins conceded the point but declared that Nugent 'strenuously denies the allegations.' The court clerk told Nugent he had the right to comment on the charges or to call evidence on his own behalf, but he declined. Returning the case to Newry Crown Court, District Judge Anne Marshall freed Nugent on £500 bail and ordered him to appear for his arraignment on October 2. Applying for legal aid to be extended in allow a senior barrister to be instructed, Mr Higgins told the judge that was on the basis that one of the charges carried a potential sentence of life imprisonment. He also contended that 'all of the people involved in this are in the public eye' and that if Nugent is convicted, there is not only a risk to his reputation 'but also a risk to his liberty and livelihood.' Judge Marshall told the solicitor she would rule on his application later on Tuesday.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
New York to make phone calls free in its state prisons
New York will soon make phone calls free in its state prisons, officials said Tuesday. People who are incarcerated in the state's prisons currently receive three free, 15-minute phone calls a week. After that, the calls cost 2.4 cents a minute. The state corrections department will begin to lift that charge starting Aug. 1, releasing a statement that said 'improved family connection reduces tension and conflict inside facilities.' "Understanding the value of family ties while in prison is crucial — not only for emotional support, but for improving an individual's outcomes while incarcerated and when returning to society, thus reducing recidivism," said Daniel Martuscello, commissioner of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. New York City jails have offered free phone calls since 2019. Connecticut was the first to implement the policy statewide and a handful of other states have since set up similar models. The New York state corrections department said the cost of the policy is included in its operating budget.
BreakingNews.ie
5 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Man (32) to be sentenced later for organising prostitution and brothel keeping
A man who organised prostitution across Dublin leased out eight properties to be used as brothels, money laundering about €320,000 in the process, a court has heard. Stelian Ciuciu (32) posed as part of a couple with another woman who was working as an escort to rent properties from unsuspecting landlords, which he then advertised to escorts for their use, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Tuesday. Advertisement Ciuciu used a WhatsApp group containing about 450 members to advertise the properties to escorts and was heavily engaged in the day-to-day upkeep of the premises, as well as regularly advising the escorts to maintain discretion and not draw attention to themselves, Detective Garda Colm Grogan of the Organised Prostitution Investigation Unit said. Ciuciu, of Brookdale Walk, Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to 20 counts, including enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation, organising prostitution, brothel-keeping, using false instruments and money laundering. The offences took place in various locations within the state on dates between January 2020 and November 2023. The most serious of these offences – enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation – carries a maximum sentence of 15 years, while the remaining offences carry maximum terms of between five and 14 years, the court heard. Ciuciu has no previous convictions. Advertisement Det Gda Grogan told Mark Lynam SC, prosecuting, that Ciuciu's offences came to light when some landlords came forward with suspicions about what their rented properties were being used for. Gardaí noticed that similar rental documents with Ciuciu's photo but different names had been used to rent out the properties, and Ciuciu was identified and followed. Gardaí followed him to a number of properties that were being used as brothels and some banks where he was lodging cash. When gardaí entered the premises and carried out welfare checks, they found prostitution was taking place in each property, with two or more escorts working there, the court heard. A total of €320,000 was found to be going through Ciuciu's accounts. Det Gda Grogan said this money, which was mostly lodged in cash by Ciuciu, was used to pay the rent for the properties, and these accounts did not contain any profits. When he was arrested in November 2023 and his home was searched, a total of €11,000 in cash was seized. Advertisement When asked by Judge Martin Nolan if gardaí had established what profits Ciuciu made from the enterprise, Det Gda Grogan said in his experience, escorts would pay up to €1,000 a week per property. Investigations are continuing into the whereabouts of the profits Ciuciu would have made, the court heard. The court heard Ciuciu provided fake documents, including fake Romanian identity documents and fake employer references, to rent out the properties, which were the subject of the false instrument charges. He and the escort, who was posing as his partner, provided employer references for a garage and a beauty salon. People in these businesses who were 'complicit' in the offending provided fake references when contacted, the court heard. No charges have been made in relation to these people to date. Ciuciu's accomplice, referred to in court as Ms N, has since fled the country, the court heard. Advertisement In his plea of mitigation, Michael Lynn SC, defending, said Ciuciu, who has lived in Ireland for a number of years, has been in custody since his arrest. His wife and three young children have had difficulties as a result, the court heard. Ireland Man (24) who fatally stabbed sister's partner foun... Read More Ciuciu was described in court as a stateless person of Roma origin, who was born in Germany but whose family renounced that citizenship. He has been residing in Ireland legally on the basis that he has a stateless application before the authorities, defence counsel said. He is extremely concerned about his future residence as a consequence of these convictions, Mr Lynn said. Letters of apology from Ciuciu and his wife were handed into court. The court heard he has experienced racism and discrimination and struggled to find work as a result. He is doing well in custody and has engaged in educational courses. Judge Nolan adjourned the case to Wednesday and said he would finalise the matter then.
