Newly appointed Trinidad justice minister undergoes heart surgery
TheDominican.net Newsdesk
Just a few weeks after becoming Trinidad’s Justice Minister in the government of prime minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Herbert Volney successfully underwent heart surgery at the Mount Hope Medical Sciences Complex in Trinidad.
Retired judge Herbert Volney is Trinidad's justice minister.
Volney was discharged after spending just a few days at the hospital. The Office of the Prime Minister issued a release yesterday which stated, “Minister Volney has indicated that he would prefer to recuperate at home in order to allow another person to benefit from the facilities at the hospital”.
The 57 year old former high court judge, and Dominica resident, stunned political observers in Trinidad, when just days before the general elections in Trinidad he abruptly resigned from the bench, after 16 years in the courts, and announced his candidacy for the St Joseph seat under the United National Congress and its political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
Volney underwent heart bypass surgery after doctors deemed the procedure necessary since there was the possibility that if left untreated the blocked arteries could have caused a heart attack. He was hospitalized one day before the surgery, after experiencing some discomfort.
Volney first experienced heart problems two years ago. But this time the problem appeared more serious and the doctors decided to operate. They also confirmed that he had not suffered a heart attack.
Upon assuming office, Volney said that he was committed to ensure justice was delivered swiftly in Trinidad.
He said the criminals in this country must fear the law and he was confident that in the shortest possible time, the fight against crime would bear fruit.
In public pronouncements before contesting the elections, Volney said he had been making suggestions to improve the judicial system for years, but his ideas were never addressed.
“Rather than the Government of the day listening to my suggestions, ask me what I mean by that, how are these suggestions to be implemented, they have ignored the suggestions which I know can work because I have worked the system, I know what the problem is. I am not looking on the outside, I am speaking from the inside and I have been there for the last 15 years,” he said.
Volney said he has seen the situation deteriorate until it has resulted in the administration of the criminal justice virtually grinding to a halt. Trinidad continues to see an escalating crime situation.
Volney was born on Montserrat before moving to Dominica with his family at an early age. He attended the St Mary’s Academy in Roseau before going on to the University of the West Indies to study law.
After completing his professional training, Volney remained in Trinidad and entered the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
Following his surgery, Volney is expected to be away for a couple of months before resuming his duties as Justice Minister.
