Prison

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#Prison

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>Natasha O’Brien, who was beaten unconscious by ex-soldier Cathal Crotty, first heard about his planned early release in the media. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews</p>

munster

Cathal Crotty to be released early from prison after assault on Natasha O'Brien

Natasha O'Brien says she learned of Cathal Crotty's release through the media and renews criticism of systemic failures

<p>Prison numbers have been hovering around 5,800 all this week — over 1,100 above the maximum possible capacity, which has been expanded, in large part, by bunk beds and mattress on the floors of cells. Photo: Moya Nolan</p>

court and crime

Possible industrial action could exacerbate crisis in Ireland's prisons

<p>The court practice of asking prison psychiatrists for reports must cease. File picture</p>

comment-analysis

Court psychiatric reports can lead to lifelong consequences for minor offences

Legal aid row may put extra pressure on strained prison system

court and crime

Legal aid row may put extra pressure on strained prison system

'Just nine showers for 239 men': Prison overcrowding crisis deepens, says Inspector of Prisons

news

'Just nine showers for 239 men': Prison overcrowding crisis deepens, says Inspector of Prisons

Man in prison hands of behind hold Steel cage jail bars. offender criminal locked in jail.

news

Report urges greater investment in community sanctions over expanding prison capacity

Victims react as convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally dies in prison aged 75

Victims react as convicted paedophile Bill Kenneally dies in prison aged 75

Death comes days after inquiry report and ahead of planned State apology to survivors

Thu, 18 Jun, 2026

Irish Examiner view: Duty of care owed to prisoners

Irish Examiner view: Duty of care owed to prisoners

There are no addiction nurses employed by the Irish Prison Service, even though thousands of prisoners suffer from addiction issues

Sat, 13 Jun, 2026

Irish prisons have no addiction nurses despite thousands of inmates needing support

Irish prisons have no addiction nurses despite thousands of inmates needing support

Experts warn the absence of specialist addiction nurses leaves a major gap in prisoner healthcare services

Fri, 12 Jun, 2026

Inmate's death prompts warning from prison inspector about dangers 'of self-inflicted injuries'

Inmate's death prompts warning from prison inspector about dangers 'of self-inflicted injuries'

A report recommended that the Irish Prison Service 'develop a new plain English information resource for prisoners, clearly highlighting the potentially fatal consequences of self-inflicted injuries'

Tue, 26 May, 2026

Nurse had to watch helplessly outside cell as Midlands Prison inmate died

Nurse had to watch helplessly outside cell as Midlands Prison inmate died

Prison officers could not find keys as prisoner suffered reaction to medicine

Wed, 20 May, 2026

Minister 'hoping and expecting' extension of former Cork prison will be completed early

Minister 'hoping and expecting' extension of former Cork prison will be completed early

Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould said it was a betrayal of the locals who had been promised in 2016 that the old building would not also be used as a prison

Sat, 09 May, 2026

Prison overcrowding: IPS says capacity 'absolutely exhausted' with inmates near 6,000

Prison overcrowding: IPS says capacity 'absolutely exhausted' with inmates near 6,000

Hundreds of inmates sleeping on floors as prison population surges far beyond capacity, fuelling violence and safety concerns

Sat, 02 May, 2026

'Prisoners are brazenly stockpiling contraband': Rising number of criminal gangs operating in prisons

'Prisoners are brazenly stockpiling contraband': Rising number of criminal gangs operating in prisons

Irish Prison Service identified 34 known criminal groups in prisons in 2025

Fri, 01 May, 2026

Irish Examiner view: Prisoners are entitled to humane treatment

Irish Examiner view: Prisoners are entitled to humane treatment

As well as that humanitarian imperative, prison overcrowding curtails education, addiction services, and mental health supports — precisely the interventions known to reduce reoffending

Fri, 01 May, 2026

Cork prison hit hardest as inmate assaults spike 40% amid severe overcrowding

Cork prison hit hardest as inmate assaults spike 40% amid severe overcrowding

Rising assaults, drug use and weapon seizures highlight mounting pressure on staff as inmate numbers approach 6,000

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

'Nightmare' as overcrowded Irish prisons likely to set new record of 6,000 inmates

'Nightmare' as overcrowded Irish prisons likely to set new record of 6,000 inmates

Prison Officers Association say the service is also bracing for a severe security risk with the potential extradition of cartel boss Daniel Kinahan

Thu, 30 Apr, 2026

DEIRDRE MCLAUGHLIN

S Mick Clifford: Judges must be allowed to set the minimum terms for murder sentences

Victims’ families question parole rules, compassionate leave, and sentencing powers as debate over justice system intensifies in Ireland

Sun, 26 Apr, 2026

DEIRDRE MCLAUGHLIN

‘I don’t believe someone who has done something like that should ever be released’

Deirdre McLaughlin’s sister Siobhán was murdered by her husband Brian Kearney in 2006 and he is serving a life sentence but Deirdre believes he should not get released from prison

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

More than 150 prison officers take up posts after graduation ceremony at Croke Park

More than 150 prison officers take up posts after graduation ceremony at Croke Park

Last year, 304 prison officers were recruited following a national campaign

Fri, 03 Apr, 2026

Minister admits inmates on waiting lists leave prison before attending psychology services

Minister admits inmates on waiting lists leave prison before attending psychology services

The justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said this was due to long waiting lists and overcrowding

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026