Prisoner on food strike in protest at verdict

A Swiss woman convicted on two charges involving money-laundering has been refusing solid food in Limerick Prison since August…

A Swiss woman convicted on two charges involving money-laundering has been refusing solid food in Limerick Prison since August 20th, when she was found guilty.

Maria Bernadette Jehle-Mair (47), convicted after a trial lasting almost 10 weeks at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, will be sentenced on Monday.

The trial was the first of its kind in the State.

Jehle-Mair was refused bail by Judge Patrick Moran and has protested her innocence.

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In a statement yesterday, her solicitor, Mr Dermot O'Driscoll, said that she has refused all solid food since August 20th and has lost almost three stone. He said she was taking liquids and had started taking vitamin tablets supplied by the prison doctor.

The doctor felt that she may have to be isolated soon so that she can be monitored, the solicitor said.

Jehle-Mair was convicted of handling DM500,000 (about £200,000) and, in a separate charge, of handling £80,000, knowing the money was the proceeds of other persons' crime.

A Department of Justice spokesman said yesterday that it was not the Department's policy to comment on individual prisoners.