Prison officer’s home attacked

GARDAÍ are investigating an attack on the home of a prison officer in Dublin earlier this week.

It is the latest in a series of attacks on the houses of officers.

Last month, the Irish Examiner reported that the homes of four prison officers had been targeted in Dublin in the previous weeks.

In the most recent case, the home of a female officer was subjected to an arson attack last Tuesday.

Two cars in the driveway had petrol poured over them and were set alight.

It is thought that the officer had a confrontation with a criminal in Mountjoy Prison last weekend, during which a number of threats were made against her.

Gardaí are investigating whether this individual may have been behind the attack.

The Prison Officers’ Association is thought to be very concerned about the rise in attacks, but is not eager to highlight the problem, largely on request of the families affected.

However, prison officers say it’s an issue the state should make a determined effort to crack down on.

In one previous attack, the officer had five children under the age of 10 who were in the house at the time.

The previous attacks also involved criminal damage to homes and property.

The attacks coincide with an apparent rise in assaults by inmates on prison officers inside jails.