Prison Officers Association refuses support for members involved in drug trafficking

The Prison Officers Association has said today that any of its members involved in drug trafficking will have no support from the organisation.

It follows the arrest of a 39-year-old prison officer this morning, on suspicion of smuggling drugs into Mountjoy.

The POA said it would not comment on the specific incident but added any of its members involved in drug trafficking will have no support from the group.

"The actions of the few can bring disgrace and embarrassment to all of the hard-working prison officers around the country, who would have no tolerance of or take part in any form of illegal activity," a statement said.

"Prison officers are the people on the front line in the fight against drugs entering our prisons.

"They do everything possible; as has been well documented, to block the flow of drugs into prison - and many have been injured while doing this very difficult and challenging work."

The POA said the drugs issue in prisons was extremely serious and a solution to tackle the problem must be driven by top prison officials.

The prison officer was arrested today was allegedly found with drugs strapped to his leg as he tried to get into Mountjoy.

The man was searched at the jail's gates at around 7.30am and authorities claimed they found 450g (1lb) of cannabis and quantities of cocaine, prescription drugs, heroin and skunk, a highly potent form of cannabis.

The man, who it is understood worked at the Dublin prison, was detained by Irish Prison Service officers until gardaí arrived.

The Irish Prison Service said it was routine for all prison staff to be searched on the way into the State's prisons.

"The Irish Prison Service is determined to clamp down on all avenues of drug trafficking into the prison," a spokesman said.

Gardaí said the man is being held at Mountjoy garda station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

He can be held for up to 24 hours.