Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
BREAKING: Martina and Ammi Burke report growing concern regarding legal aid solicitors, prison officers and Gardaí
We have been asked by a female prisoner we know to pass on a message to Gardaí that she believes her cars have been stolen. Despite making a report to the prison Governor many weeks ago, and being told this was passed on to the Garda Liaison Officer, we were told today by the Gardaí that there is no record of this.
We are very concerned also that prisoners are not being represented fairly by legal aid solicitors. Prisoners are in a very vulnerable position, locked in prison cells for up to 22 hours a day, and having very minimal communication with legal representatives, who are being paid to fight on their behalf. Some have to beg for an update and are being dissuaded from challenging prosecution evidence and appealing their sentences, though appearing very unjust.
We have fought for weeks to assist prisoners to be granted their visiting rights. Only after up to 10 communications in one case, was the prisoner granted their statutory legal right to a visit. This is unacceptable and grossly unjust. To be locked in a tiny prison cell for up to 22 hours a day is tough; but on top of that to be denied your rights to a visit or even a video call with your family members, in some cases elderly parents, is inhumane and unjust.
BREAKING: Martina and Ammi Burke report growing concern regarding legal aid solicitors, prison officers and Gardaí
We have been asked by a female prisoner we know to pass on a message to Gardaí that she believes her cars have been stolen. Despite making a report to the prison Governor many weeks ago, and being told this was passed on to the Garda Liaison Officer, we were told today by the Gardaí that there is no record of this.
We are very concerned also that prisoners are not being represented fairly by legal aid solicitors. Prisoners are in a very vulnerable position, locked in prison cells for up to 22 hours a day, and having very minimal communication with legal representatives, who are being paid to fight on their behalf. Some have to beg for an update and are being dissuaded from challenging prosecution evidence and appealing their sentences, though appearing very unjust.
We have fought for weeks to assist prisoners to be granted their visiting rights. Only after up to 10 communications in one case, was the prisoner granted their statutory legal right to a visit. This is unacceptable and grossly unjust. To be locked in a tiny prison cell for up to 22 hours a day is tough; but on top of that to be denied your rights to a visit or even a video call with your family members, in some cases elderly parents, is inhumane and unjust.
