Spike Island prison riot exhibition opens 30 years after 'mob rule just took over'

“I was surprised at the ferocity of the attacks. There were no serious offenders in the prison, they were mainly joyriders. It was really sudden, out of the blue. Mob rule just took over.”

These are the recollections of retired Detective Garda Jack Hartnett of the Spike Island prison riot, which took place 30 years ago.

Cork County Council, which is turning the island into a tourism venue, has opened up a permanent exhibition there to commemorate the riot, which left the prison very badly damaged.