Costliest prison to open this year in Cork

The most expensive prison ever built in the State, at a cost of €35m, will open in Cork this December. Construction is to finish by the end of next month.

The H-block building will replace the overcrowded prison on Rathmore Road, and is being developed on a six-acre greenfield site next to the current facility. The 310-inmate prison will be close to the Brandon Crescent and Comeragh Park estates.

PJ Hegarty and Sons Contractors are completing the 7.2m-high perimeter wall, with 250 workers also finishing internal work.