Internal departmental records show how it expected to go up to €60m over budget in 2019 because of the rise in applications for international protection.

The prison watchdog has criticised the authorities in Mountjoy for repeated failures by staff to notice that a prisoner had died in his cell.

No-fly zones and new technology will be used to stop high-tech drones delivering drugs and other contraband to prisoners, it has been announced.

The State’s prison watchdog was refused entry to a jail by an officer who appeared to be drunk, it has emerged.

Whistleblower David McDonald says there have been reprisals for his claims, among others, that prison officers had been put under illegal surveillance and that prisoners’ conversations with their solicitors were monitored, writes Michael Clifford.

Prison officers who were charged with stopping the flow of drugs into prisons engaged in covert surveillance which may have involved illegal activity, a damning report has found.

Prison boss Caron McCaffrey has said that she was “deeply concerned and disappointed” at findings of covert surveillance conducted by some prison officers within her security unit.

Some of what emerged in a damning report on surveillance in our prisons wouldn’t be out of place in a TV crime drama, writes Special Correspondent Michael Clifford

The prison officer who had a tracking device fitted to his private vehicle has called on the justice minister to publish the report into alleged illegal surveillance in prisons without delay.

The investigation into allegations of illegal surveillance in prisons concluded in March, but the findings have yet to be published, says Special Correspondent Michael Clifford.

Charlie Flanagan, the justice minister, is considering requests by the Inspector of Prisons for extra resources, staffing, and powers.

Only one prison inspection report has been published in the last five years and no inspections have been conducted in five jails over the last 10 years, the Inspector of Prisons has said.

Hard-hitting report comes after vulnerable prisoner died in cell

The ‘Irish Examiner’ last year published claims about covert surveillance in prisons. A report was made — but will it be published and followed up on, asks Michael Clifford.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has said he is concerned at the “contents” of a report by the Inspector of Prisons into allegations of illegal surveillance of prison officers.

The Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has sought an investigation into allegations surrounding surveillance in prisons.

Almost one in five children were admitted to adult psychiatric units last year even though beds were available in the child and adolescent services.

One in five children or teens admitted to a mental health facility are still being placed in "inappropriate" adult wards — despite the policy being outlawed since 2011.

Mental health service reform has "ground to a halt", with three out of five units failing to meet basic staff levels, one in four not having enough beds and half still using controversial patient restraints.

The Mental Health Commission says an unacceptable number of care centres are failing to meet statutory requirements.

Bankrupt businessman Seán Quinn and his son, Seán Jr, will today find out if they are to face further charges of contempt of court which could see both men put behind bars.

Just three of the 64 in-patient mental health facilities — less than 5% — in the country are fully compliant with all regulations, according to a report from the mental health watchdog.

MENTAL health services are “haemorrhaging” personnel, the Mental Health Commission has warned.

AN additional €50 million will be spent by the Health Service Executive (HSE) this year on achieving new standards of mental care published yesterday by the Mental Health Commission.