The Liaison Catholic Bishop to Irish Prisons has said he has been assured about a construction project due to get under way in the chapel of Mountjoy prison on Monday.
Bishop of Kilmore Martin Hayes met with the Director General of the Irish Prison Service Caron McCaffrey this morning over what he described as “a lack of consultation” with prison chaplains regarding the renovation.
The Bishop said he was reassured that there is “a long-term commitment” to the chapel located in the main prison of Mountjoy.
Due to the increased demands on prison staff and the rising number of prisoners scheduled to attend court, the Irish Prison Service has chosen to adjust the footprint of “underutilised space” at the rear of Mountjoy Chapel to “safely accommodate” a new video link area for court appearances.
While the chapel will be closed to prisoners during the construction period, which is estimated to take eight weeks, the Irish Prison Service has said the works will not affect the integrity or functionality of the space.
In a statement this week, Bishop Martin Hayes said there had not been appropriate consultation with prisoners or with prison chaplains regarding the project.
He said the “unilateral approach” ran counter to maintaining “harmonious and respectful relations” in the prison community.
He also described the decision as “particularly poignant” because the holy season of Advent leading up to Christmas begins on Sunday.
Governor of Mountjoy Prison David Treacy acknowledged the inconvenience; however, he said the decision was taken because the courts will be closed over the Christmas period.
“This gives up the opportunity to complete these works in preparation for growing attendees to court in January,” he said.
One prisoner who spoke to RTÉ News said attending court hearings via the web is far more organised than attending in person.
“Nine times out of ten you don’t know when you are in court, so you have fifteen or twenty minutes to get ready, no shower no nothing.
“Whereas with video link you’re ready. You’re showered, you’re more organised.”
He added: “At the end of the day you’re going to court, you’re sitting in front of a judge, whether it’s being produced or being on a video link, you have to look respectable.”
The Irish Prison Service pointed out that in-person Mass is available at other locations around Mountjoy Prison and those who are unable to attend those locations for security or operational reasons, would be able to access Mass via a live stream on the in-cell TV channel.
However, Bishop Hayes said Mass via webcam was the not “the optimum celebration of the Eucharist” because it lacks the “community dimension of in-person priest and congregation”.
He said when people gather for mass, they do so to become the body of Christ, which is why it should be in-person, and this was something he said, “should be considered by those over-relying on the web at the moment”.
Mountjoy Chapel will be reopened following the construction work and will retain a capacity of up to 96 people.
In-person mass is held each fortnight and the average attendance for in-person mass at present is around 25 people.
