Sales reports show clear preference for Lyons Tea over Barry’s among prison population

Barry's Tea was more popular in Munster,  outselling Lyons by almost three to one in Cork Prison and beating the rival brand by a comfortable margin in Limerick. Picture: Dan Linehan

Inmates prefer Lyons Tea to Barry’s and their favourite biscuits to enjoy with a cuppa are Toffypops, sales reports from tucks shops in the country’s 12 prisons have revealed.

A new stock management and point-of-sale system was installed in every prison last year at a cost of €170,565, allowing prisoners’ spending habits to be analysed for the first time.