‘I never tried to smuggle anything into prison’

A teacher alleging her career in the prison services was “destroyed” after a mobile phone was detected in her bra strap when passing through a security check at the Mountjoy Prison complex has told the High Court she never tried to smuggle anything into any jail she worked.

Katherine Boyle, an employee of Dublin VEC who taught in the prison system for 15 years claims she lost her security clearance after she forgot she had left her phone in her bra strap before going through the security check on September 3, 2008.

Ms Boyle, of Donagher’s Lane, Prosperous, Co Kildare, was giving evidence on the second day of her action against the governor of St Patrick’s Institution, Irish Prison Services, minister for justice, and the State. She is seeking damages, including punitive and exemplary damages, for personal injuries allegedly suffered.