Prison bosses urged to kick football spend to touch

Prison bosses have been urged to end the “limitless” supply of footballs to prisoners after figures show more than €40,000 is spent every year on new balls.

Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act reveal footballs are constantly punctured by being kicked against razor security wire in recreation yards.

Official figures show more than €127,000 has been spent on buying in the region of 51,000 footballs in the past three years.