Judge fast-tracks case on prison works tender

A dispute over the process leading to the awarding of a €4 million public contract for refurbishment of a wing of Mountjoy Prison has come before the Commercial Court.

Glenbeigh Construction Limited, with registered offices at Damastown Industrial Park, Dublin, has brought judicial review proceedings against the Minister for Justice arising from the conduct of the contract tender process.

An invitation to tender for the contract was issued in August and the contract was awarded in January to John Sisk & Son Ltd. Glenbeigh was among the companies that tendered unsuccessfully.

The contract is for refurbishment of the prison’s D Wing, including full refurbishment of all cells and the installation of in-cell sanitation.

Yesterday, Eileen Barrington SC, for the Minister, asked Mr Justice Peter Kelly to fast-track the hearing of the case in the Commercial Court.

Refurbishment of wing
In court documents, it was stated the Irish Prison Service was anxious to conclude the contract and have the refurbishment works proceed.

Ms Barrington said a “large swathe” of documents was looked for and the Glenbeigh side had been provided with documents on the core issue: whether Sisk had included a heating plant room in its tender. Mr Justice Kelly agreed to fast-track the case, made directions for exchange of legal documents, and returned the matter to May.