Prisoners set to sue State

Up to 800 prisoners or former prisoners are set to sue the State over the condition of Irish jails.

The prisoners claim they have been traumatised by being forced to live in cells with no flushing toilets.

The class action suit, if successful, could see the taxpayer pay out millions. The action has been condemned by the Progressive Democrats.

Senator John Minihan said it was “ridiculous". "We are living in a society now which has embraced compensation culture to a ridiculous level and we have to stand up and say that it is wrong."