National Archives - 20 prisoners, including Ferris, go on hunger strike

CONDITIONS in Portlaoise Prison became a volatile issue in early 1977 with leading republicans, including current TD Martin Ferris, staging a hunger strike.

In its annual report for 1976 the Visiting Committee reported that it had monthly visits to the jail. “Members also made individual visits without prior notice, and on each such visit everything was found to be satisfactory, particularly as regards the prisoners’ meals which were always found to be up to the usual high quality, well cooked and tastefully served.”

There were complaints about security but the report noted that the measures taken were justified by the escape of August 18, 1974, when prisoners used plastic explosives smuggled into the prison. “We are satisfied that the special restrictions imposed were both reasonable and necessary,” the committee reported.