2,000 phones seized in prisons

FINE GAEL has accused the Government of failing to fulfil promises to rid prisons of mobile phones.

This follows the release of figures showing that 2,047 mobile phones were seized in 2008 and 431 to March 20 this year.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said a large number were seized at point of entry to the prisons thanks to the new security systems.

A Prison Service spokesman said mobile phone blocking technology would be in operation in the country’s only maximum security prison in the coming weeks. Portlaoise Prison will be the second prison to be fitted with the technology following the installation of the equipment in neighbouring Midlands Prison.

Fine Gael’s justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan said yesterday the Government was not proceeding with the necessary speed.

“It’s almost two years since notorious criminal John Daly rang Liveline from his cell in Portlaoise,” he said. “There was a promise then by justice minister Michael McDowell that prisons would be mobile phone free. Instead, we are now dealing with record numbers.”

Mr Flanagan said some people, including contractors, were able to bring mobile phones into Portlaoise. He said there should be a “complete ban”.

Mr Ahern said 580 mobiles were seized in Mountjoy last year. The next biggest hauls were in Limerick (292) and Wheatfield (232).