FG demand probe into €30m prison land sale
Fine Gael has called for an investigation into the Government's decision to spend almost €30m on a site for a proposed new prison on the outskirts of Dublin.
The State paid just under €30m for the 150 acres of land in Thornton last January. Reports this morning said larger farm just four miles away sold at auction yesterday for just €6.2m.
Mr McDowell has insisted that the Thornton site was the only suitable location for the proposed prison and did represent value for money.
But Fine Gael's Justice spokesman Jim O'Keefe has accused the minister of incompetence.
"It is absolutely impossible to justify the expenditure of that kind of money," he said. "The minister has ripped off the taxpayer by signing up for the purchase of those lands at eight times their value.
"This suggests a total lack of competence and judgement on his part in handling taxpayers' money."
