Fine Gael: Prison violence due to overcrowding

Fine Gael has said that the recent spate of violent attacks at Mountjoy prison is due to overcrowding.

Justice spokesperson Jim O'Keefe said today: “I'm convinced that the biggest single contributory factor to the present state of tension in our prisons is the overcrowding factor.”

“I want to see an investigation as to why our prisons are so overcrowded. I believe that Minister McDowell has a responsibility there because he is depriving the State of at least 300 prison spaces, having closing two prisons.”