NI: Lawyer buys own PPE after criticising COVID-19 custody suite

NI: Lawyer buys own PPE after criticising COVID-19 custody suite

Joe Rice

A criminal defence lawyer who criticised safety measures at a specialist COVID-19 custody suite established by the PSNI in Belfast has bought his own personal protective equipment (PPE).

Joe Rice, senior partner at John J. Rice & Co Solicitors, told the Belfast Telegraph that his firm has bought face shields for its solicitors to use if required to attend the interview room at Musgrave police station.

Mr Rice had previously raised concerns that the perspex screen installed in the station’s interview room “is inadequate at best, and downright dangerous at worst”.

He said at the time that the PSNI had not taken into account that solicitors, interpreters and appropriate adults for vulnerable persons “will have to be suitably equipped” and that the measures “fall far short of the standard that was to be expected”.

Mr Rice said yesterday that the PSNI had engaged in “limited consultations” about the measures but had not introduced changes.

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