Officials aim to resolve prison crisis

SENIOR officials from the Irish Prisons Service will visit Castlerea Prison, Co Roscommon, today in a bid to mend a serious break in the link between management and members of the Prison Officers’ Association.

Yesterday representatives of the POA and officials from the IPS held what were described as tough and lengthy talks on a full agenda of issues which led to a one-hour stoppage by prison officers on Tuesday. Prison officers allege that they have been bullied and harassed by prison management.

Last night, POA deputy general secretary Eugene Dennehy said that, while many issues were on the table for yesterday’s talks, the bullying and safety were highest on the agenda.