Prison officers to mount Dáil protest over jail closures

More than 100 prison officers are due to mount a demonstration outside the Dáil today in protest at the closure of two prisons by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.

The workers were formerly based at Spike Island and the Curragh before the two facilities were shut by the Minister as part of a stand-off with the Prison Officers Association.

They have since been moved to other prisons in Cork, Limerick and Portlaoise.

Mr McDowell has insisted that the closures were necessary due to the Prison Officers Association (POA) rejecting proposals designed to reduce the prison overtime bill.

Speaking ahead of today's demonstration, POA spokesman Eugene Dennehy said the matter had led to huge anger among members.

"Prison officers are being singled out here by the Minister and his officials as public enemy number one for merely following orders, for working the exorbitant hours in difficult and dangerous conditions that they are required to work," he said.