Juvenile inmates playing violent computer game

PRISON chiefs yesterday launched an inquiry into allegations that juveniles in detention were playing a violent car video game.

The Irish Prison Service said it was inquiring into whether underage inmates at St Patrick’s Institution had access to Grand Theft Auto, a controversial crime game.

It is thought inmates in the B-wing of the prison, a special school for those aged 16 and under, got their hands on the game through a swap with other adult inmates in the Dublin jail. Another theory being examined is that it was smuggled in by a visitor.

The Irish Prison Service yesterday said games for over 18s were not allowed in the B-wing but admitted computer games were in use in the special school.

“Management will take every step to ensure games for over 18s are not permitted in the wing,” said a spokeswoman.

However sources confirmed that the young inmates were playing the video game during their leisure hours of 5pm-8pm.

The multi-million-euro B-wing in St Patrick’s Institution was built to house juveniles, particularly those caught joyriding, after two gardaí were killed while on duty on the Stillorgan dual carriageway.

Garda Tony Tighe, 53, and Garda Michael Padden, 27, died after a stolen car ploughed into their patrol car on the Stillorgan dual carriageway on April 14, 2002.

Grand Theft Auto is a game featuring scenes of rape, murder and mayhem, which is banned in Australia and controlled in the US.

Running down old women, stealing cars and bombing police are also part of the game.