Cork Prison dirty protest in twelfth day

THE authorities are hoping a 12-day dirty protest by three prisoners in Cork jail will be called off shortly, despite the fact the inmates haven’t told officials what sparked the action.

The three prisoners, who were transferred to Cork because of disruptive behaviour in other jails, started the protest on July 24.

They are housed in D wing and sources within the jail believe their protest could have been sparked by a loss of privileges.

However, prison governor Sean Quigley said the three men had not communicated why they have decided not to use toilets provided. The men have been reported to be daubing excrement on cell floors and walls.

They are the only three occupants of D wing in a prison which currently houses approximately 270 inmates.

“Safety standards and hygiene procedures are in place,” Mr Quigley said yesterday. “We are hoping the situation will be resolved quickly.”

One of the prisoners was transferred to Cork from Mountjoy while the second came from Cloverhill and the third from Wheatfield. Two of the men are alleged to have been transferred following alleged assaults and threats to prison officers.

Despite assertions that sanitary conditions were being maintained, Irish Prison Officers’ Association (IPOA) said it was concerned that the protest was becoming a health hazard for other prisoners and staff.

“There is a smell all over the D unit. The prison officers have been putting the prisoners food inside the door of their individual cells and have protective breathing gear, but this is not good enough. The smell is overpowering,” the IPOA spokesman said.