Seven prisoners transferred from Spike in closure move

SEVEN prisoners were transferred from Spike Island in County Cork yesterday under the Government’s plan to close the jail by the end of the month.

The switch to St Patrick’s Institution in Dublin was ordered by Justice Minister Michael McDowell as part of his strategy to halve the prison’s overtime bill from €64 million to €30 million.

The Prison Officers' Association described the move as provocative, given that talks aimed at resolving the overtime row are continuing.