My Life with Jim O'Sullivan: ‘Nothing could have prepared me for the Spike Island Prison riots’

Jim O’Sullivan, former assistant chief officer, Spike Island Prison, Cork describes the riot of August 31, 1985

Jim O’Sullivan standing in front of a large framed photograph of Spike Island, where he served as a prison officer during the riots. Pictures: Chani Anderson

It started off like any other night shift in Spike Island prison before the unthinkable happened and inmates escaped in their droves.

I was just months into the job, having been promoted to the role of assistant chief officer. The new challenge was one I embraced, after being transferred from Mountjoy.