Sparks flying on Spike: New memoir looks at infamous riot on island prison

John Cuffe recalls the day he woke up and saw Cork harbour ablaze. His new memoir of being a prison officer includes a look at the riot on Spike Island. He tells Donal O’Keeffe.

“Spike Island was a powder-keg. It could have gone up at any time. It was totally, totally unsuitable for prisoners.”

At 6am on Saturday, August 31st, 1985, prison officer John Cuffe was awoken by the news coming from his bedside radio. “More Gardai and army personnel are being drafted in as prison officers try to contain what’s left of Spike Island. Fires have raged on the island all night…”