Number in jail on remand surges by 50%

Garda operations against feuding gangs and roaming burglary groups are believed to be driving a surge in the number of people being held on remand in prison.

Prison Service figures show that the number of people being remanded in custody, after being charged and awaiting trial, has jumped by more than 50% in the last three years — with the biggest increase taking place in the last year.

Official figures show there were 750 remand prisoners in the system on April 30 last (comprising 20% of the overall prison population).