POA and prison service to discuss Mountjoy overcrowding

The Prison Officers Association (POA) is due to meet representatives of the prison service this afternoon to discuss overcrowding at Mountjoy.

The talks have been arranged following four attacks at the prison last week, one of which resulted in the death of a 21-year-old inmate.

Gary Douch was beaten to death in a cell he was sharing with six other prisoners just hours after he requested a transfer from the main landing for his own safety.

The POA says it wants the Government to reopen the recently closed prisons at Spike Island and the Curragh in order to alleviate overcrowding at Mountjoy.