Mountjoy prison officer slashed in face

A prison officer required hospital treatment after he was slashed across the face by an inmate today.

The officer was attacked with a makeshift blade at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin early this afternoon.

He was taken to the Mater Hospital, where he received about 15 stitches on his right cheek.

It is understood that the prisoner - a man in his 30s, who is serving seven years for drugs offences - was transferred to a punishment unit after the incident.

The Prison Service and Gardaí are both investigating the attack.

Meanwhile, the Prison Officers Association condemned the attack and has demanded an urgent meeting with management to discuss attacks on their members.