Prison officers will fight closure of young offenders' centre

Prison officers have said they are utterly opposed to Minister for Justice Micheal McDowell closing an open centre for young offenders

Shanganagh Castle holds juvenile offenders from the ages of 16 upwards, however recent reports have indicated that Mr McDowell will close the centre.

John Clinton General Secretary for the Prison Officers Association says that officers will fight the closure of the centre as it cares for very vulnerable children and is an essential facility.

The POA are also concerned that if Shanganagh is closed, the interests of officers will not be properly protected .

The officers group have now written to the Minister for Justice to arrange an urgent meeting over the closure of the young offenders facility.