Annex A
Peter J Leonard
Director of Operations
30 December 2003
VISIT BY FRANKIE GALLAGHER TO MAGHABERRY
ON 15 NOVEMBER 2003
I have no recollection of any incident or telephone
conversation involving Frankie Gallagher or prisoner Shoukri on
Sunday 16 November 2003, My response is based on the assumption
that the event referred to is that which occurred on Saturday
15 November 2003.
8(a) I do not remember the exact time of
the call but I believe it to have been a little after 9 am. Mr
Gallagher rang me on my official mobile telephone. As Director
of Operations I am available on that number at all times except
when I am out of the UK.
8(b) No minute was made of this call. It
was a simple enquiry. Mr Gallagher said that he was due to visit
prisoner Shoukri at 10 am but could not reach the prison by that
time. He was concerned that, if late, he would not be allowed
in for the visit. I think he said he had been delayed because
of a domestic problem. I said that I would check the position
and let him know.
8(c) I immediately telephoned Governor A,
who was the senior on-call governor for Maghaberry. I explained
the situation. Governor A, who was at home, said he would telephone
the prison and get back to me. No minute was made of this call.
8(d) Governor A returned my call a few minutes
later, saying there would be no problem if Mr Gallagher turned
up a little late. I then telephoned Mr Gallagher to tell him that.
No minutes were made of these calls. I received no further calls
concerning this visit.
8(e) I did not receive any further calls about
the visit.
8(f)-8(l). I have no first-hand knowledge
of any of these matters. I was not involved in any decision to
allow Mr Gallagher to keep notes he had made during the visit.
Governor A
Deputy Governor
Maghaberry Prison
19 December 2003.
VISIT FROM MR FRANK GALLAGHER 15 NOVEMBER
2003
I received a telephone call from Peter Leonard
shortly after 0900 hrs on Saturday 15 November 2003. Mr. Leonard
advised me that he had just been contacted by a Mr Frank Gallagher,
who was on his way to the prison to visit an inmate but was having
problems of some kind. There were no minutes taken of this call,
or of any subsequent call between myself and Mr Leonard.
I contacted the duty Governor, Governor B, to
ask him if he was aware of any difficulties with a visitor named
Gallagher during the morning. Governor B checked this and phoned
me back, advising me that there were no reports of disruption
to the normal business of visits. I conveyed this to Mr Leonard
and the matter rested there.
I understand that Mr Gallagher subsequently
presented himself at the prison to visit prisoner Ihab Shoukri.
Governor B, being aware of the apparent confusion regarding this
Issue earlier in the morning, gave Mr Gallagher the benefit of
the doubt and admitted him to visit. This is very much in keeping
with local policy, bearing in mind that many people travel Considerable
distances to visit the prison.
The second issue raised during the morning of
Saturday 15 November 2003 related to Mr Gallagher's use of a pen
and paper during his visit. Visitors to prisoners are not permitted
to take notes. This was brought to Mr Gallaghers attention by
staff. He was later spoken to by Governor D, who gave Mr Gallagher
a Copy of the relevant Order, Mr Gallagher showed the note to
Governor D, who adjudged it not to be detrimental to the good
order of the establishment. As this matter was settled amicably
between Governor D and Mr Gallagher there vas no need to report
it to me. This is as I would expect it.
Governor B
Inmate Services
Maghaberry
19 December 2003
VISIT TO A PRISONER ON SATURDAY 15 NOVEMBER
BY MR GALLAGHER
I can confirm the following for information:
I was the duty Governor on Saturday 15 November.
At approximately 09.00 I received a telephone call from the on
call senior Governor, Governor A. Governor A explained that Peter
Leonard, the Director of Operations had contacted him, clarifying
whether the Prison had turned away a Mr Gallagher at the visitors'
reception that morning. I checked with staff at that location
and also the telephone booking clerks. I was assured that no one
had been turned away, nor had anyone phoned that morning with
a problem. I telephoned Governor A and informed of this.
A short time later. I was advised by staff at
the visitors' reception that a Mr Gallagher had arrived at the
visitors' reception and wanted to visit with a prisoner. Given
the earlier telephone conversations and giving the benefit of
doubt to Mr Gallagher, I decided to permit the visit and inform
Governor A of my decision. I discussed the event with Governor
D later in the morning to advise him of the circumstances.
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