Intoxicated’ prison officer refused entry to inspector

The State’s prison watchdog was refused entry to a jail by an officer who appeared to be drunk, it has emerged. The staff member had a “strong smell of alcohol” and had difficulty reading her ID badge, states the inspector’s annual report.

The Inspector of Prisons, Patricia Gilheaney, initiated “familiarisation visits” of prisons after being appointed in May 2018. Her 2019 annual report notes the “professionalism and dedication” of staff during her visits.