Prison officers share €1m ‘danger money’ payout

Officers at the country’s only maximum security jail have shared a €1m windfall in ‘danger money’ backpay for dealing with some of the most dangerous criminals.

The Irish Prison Service confirmed 178 prison officers at Portlaoise have received €986,961, on average €5,544 each, in the so-called ‘environmental allowance’.

The allowance is worth €30.97 per week to each prison officer. It was introduced in 1982 in recognition of the fact the vast majority of prisoners committed to Portlaoise were members of subversive groups, which placed abnormal tension and strain on prison staff.