€5k a week cost of keeping Dundon trio in jail

The average cost of jailing the three Dundon brothers who were convicted of murder as well as other dangerous criminals at the State’s only high security prison shot up last year.

Figures released by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) confirm it is costing the taxpayer €1,818 per week to jail each prisoner at Portlaoise — up from the €1,675 in 2012.

The cost per prisoner space at Portlaoise last year increased by 8.5%, from €87,108 to €94,575.