Call for tougher sanctions on inmates who attack staff

Prison officers have called for tougher sanctions for inmates who attack staff after a fresh incident in which a convicted murderer tried to choke an officer in Portlaoise Prison.

The incident took place at 7pm on Thursday when Darren Wynne, who was last year convicted of the murder of Jamie Lindsay in Athy in April 2013, left his cell as part of normal recess and attacked the prison officer, putting put his hands around his neck. Another officer was also injured before calm was restored.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) said both men required medical treatment but returned to work yesterday. The Irish Prison Service confirmed that an incident took place but said it would not comment on individual incidents.

However, Jim Mitchell, a spokesman for the POA, said it was just the latest example of inmates believing they could act “with impunity”.

He referred to other serious incidents in which staff have been assaulted, and in particular to the stabbing of two officers in Tallaght last February by prisoner Kevin Brockwell, who then fled the scene and was only arrested in Belfast after an all-island manhunt.

It recently emerged that 160 stab vests are to be issued within the prison system but Mr Mitchell said this was “inadequate”, adding: “We need more of them and a specified policy with regards to where to wear them.”

He said he accepted that while a stab vest would have made no difference in Thursday night’s incident, their wider use could have helped in other situations. “We want it to be best practice when [incidents] could be avoided,” he said.

POA officials are due to meet Michael Donnellan, the head of the Irish Prison Service, next week.

The POA wants tougher sanctions for prisoners who attack staff and for any sentences handed down to be served consecutively.

Mr Mitchell also said there needed to be a general search policy within jails and an overhaul of the prisoner complaints system .

It is understood Mr Wynne will be subject to disciplinary procedures at the behest of the governor, although it is thought unlikely gardaí will become involved.