Gilligan interview regrettable, says Ahern

MINISTER for Justice Dermot Ahern has described as "regrettable" a decision by music magazine Hot Press to publish an interview with convicted criminal John Gilligan in Portlaoise Prison.

Mr Ahern said he had been in contact with the head of the Prison Service. He was commenting amid criticism of the article by Fine Gael justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan.

Mr Flanagan had called for rules regarding media interviews with prisoners. "It is an insult to victims of crime to allow convicted criminals to enjoy such privileges while serving time," he said.

Mr Ahern said it was unfortunate this type of interview had taken place and that "the Prison Service will have to look at their modus operandi to ensure that it doesn't happen again".

"Is it now the case that no one in prison has the right to ever say anything in their defence?" a Hot Press representative asked. "You cannot understand crime without talking to criminals."

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times