50 inmates sleeping on floors of Irish prisons due to overcrowding

Mountjoy Prison, Limerick Prison, Castlerea Prison, and Midlands Prison — were operating at or over full capacity. File picture: Courtpix

Up to 50 inmates have been sleeping on floors in Irish prisons over the past week due to overcrowding and a shortage of available beds.

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has said the issue, which has worsened in recent weeks, has the potential to increase the risk of violence.