Man tells Donegal court he has been ‘lying on a floor like a dog’ in overcrowded prison - Donegal Daily

A man who is on remand in a prison has told a Donegal court that he has been “lying on a floor like a dog” for the last six weeks.Conor Cox was addressing Doneg...

A man who is on remand in a prison has told a Donegal court that he has been “lying on a floor like a dog” for the last six weeks.

Conor Cox was addressing Donegal District Court via video link from Castlerea Prison.

Cox told Judge Ciaran Liddy at Ballyshannon Courthouse that he was keen to take up bail.

The 26-year-old, of Willow Park, Maugheraboy, Sligo, is facing charges including assault; possession of an article; and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour;

His solicitor, Mr Gerry McGovern, told the court that he was unable to represent Cox due to an ongoing industrial dispute, which he said was “causing havoc” in the courts.

Garda Sergeant Oliver Devaney told the court that directions were still outstanding from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), adding that a file will be submitted next week.

Cox addressed Judge Liddy and said that he had consent to bail.

“I am lying on a floor here like a dog for six weeks,” he said. “I have no bed, no nothing.”

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Cox told the judge that he is interacting with Alcoholics Anonymous while in prison.

Judge Liddy noted that Cox is in custody on these charges and added that he could not interfere with a High Court decision on bail.

The case was adjourned to Sligo District Court on September 10.

Cox’s comments come as the annual report from the Irish Prison Service shows significant overcrowding in prisons.

The prison population stood at 5,753 at the end up 2025 with almost 600 (596) of those, sleeping on mattresses.

The Irish Penal Reform Trust has said it is concerned by the reliance of the State on short sentences and remand.

It said that there was an “urgent need for a decisive shift towards evidence‑based, community‑based alternatives.”