Prison officers on verge of industrial action

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald faces the prospect of potential industrial action by prison officers just hours after she meets officials from the Prison Officers’ Association tomorrow morning.

The result of a ballot conducted over the last three weeks among POA members is due later tomorrow, after what is expected to be a testy meeting between union leaders and the minister and her officials.

Officers are increasingly concerned at the safety of staff after a prison officer received a knife injury in Midlands Prison as he tried to protect an inmate from an attack by two other prisoners.