A High Court judge has criticised Wheatfield Prison authorities for their five-month delay in placing a prisoner, who is a heroin user and has hepatitis C, on a methadone programme.
The prisoner was said to be "clean" when admitted to Wheatfield, but recommenced taking drugs. Three days after he brought a legal challenge to the failure to place him on a programme, the court was told a place was available for him.
Mr Justice Iarfhlaith O'Neill said the prisoner should have been put on a methadone programme within weeks. He was "unimpressed" this delay was down to a lack of resources.
Last week lawyers for the prisoner challenged his detention in that the failure to accord him treatment breached his rights. They sought his release or an order that he be put on methadone. The application was adjourned when the court heard it was expected a place would be found.
Yesterday, when the case was again before the court, Mr Justice O'Neill said it was "inexplicable" a lack of resources was the reason why a person with a "serious illness" should have to wait so long before being put on a programme.
He ruled the inquiry into the lawfulness of the man's detention was justified, and awarded costs to the prisoner.