Officers end tense prison stand-off after gangs clash

PRISON officers in riot gear had to be mobilised after nearly 100 inmates in Midlands Prison were involved in a tense stand-off with staff.

The inmates, the majority attached to two distinct factions within the prison, refused to return to their cells at lock down on Tuesday.

The stand-off followed an earlier unrelated incident in the Co Laois facility when three prisoners smashed up a recreation area and fired pool balls at officers.