Seán Aylward resigns from European anti-torture body

The former secretary general of the Department of Justice, Seán Aylward, has resigned as Ireland’s representative on a key European anti-torture body two years before his term was due to end.

Mr Aylward has stepped down from the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture, which is responsible for monitoring conditions in prisons, police stations and other institutions in the council’s member states.

He said he tendered his resignation last month on taking up the position of under-treasurer, or chief executive, at the King’s Inns, the body that trains barristers. His resignation will take effect from August 15th, creating a vacancy for another Irish nominee.

“When I was offered the position at the King’s Inns, I realised I couldn’t maintain the level of commitment required of a full member of the committee,” Mr Aylward said, adding that there was never a conflict of interest in his holding the European post, as those who sat on the 46-member committee did not involve themselves in discussions and investigations on institutions in their own country. “It was an absolute privilege to be elected to it.”

Mr Aylward’s selection as the Irish member of the committee in 2011 prompted expressions of concern from a number of rights and equality organisations.

At the time, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, the Justice for Magdalenes group and the Equality and Rights Alliance – an umbrella group of trade unions and human rights bodies – all said they were disappointed with the appointment.

Mr Aylward was elected following four ballots by the council’s committee of ministers’ deputies, despite not being the first choice of the legal affairs and human rights committee, which was charged with making a recommendation.

It had recommended NUI Galway academic Prof Donncha O'Connell. He, Dr Mary Rogan of DIT and Mr Aylward were the three names forwarded by the Minister for Justice for consideration, without any preference being expressed by the Minister.

Membership of the committee is not a full-time position, but is paid on a per diem basis. A member attending all 40 working days will earn €10,160 a year. Mr Aylward was head of the prison service prior to his appointment as secretary general of the Department of Justice, from which he retired in July 2011.