IPOA calls for action on prison drug problem

The Irish Prison Officers Association (IPOA) has called for measures to tackle the drugs problem in Irish prisons following an assault on two prison officers at Cloverhill Jail in Dublin yesterday.

The male and female officers were attacked while trying to retrieve a suspected drugs package that was thrown over the wall of the prison yard.

The male officer was beaten about the head and body, while the female officer was knocked unconscious when she came to her colleague’s aid.

The IPOA described the attack as "extremely alarming" and said failure to tackle the problem of drugs in prisons could lead to "mob law" in Irish jails.

It also said that planned cutbacks in the prison service could adversely affect the safety of prison officers.