POA: Overcrowding played part in prison riot

PRISON officers said the overcrowding crisis in Mountjoy Prison “undoubtedly” played a part in Wednesday night’s riot and claimed inmates were like “flies on top of each other” in the notorious prison.

Insiders said the riot in the recreation yard and recreation hall of the ‘A’ division by 78 prisoners “appeared to be planned” and that one of the ringleaders was a notorious criminal from Limerick.

Sources said while this inmate had personal issues to do with access to showers and wanting to move out of Mountjoy, officers are adamant most of the problems stem from overcrowding.