Female-only prison operating at 27% above stated capacity

Ireland’s newest female-only prison at Limerick Prison is currently operating at 27% above its stated capacity. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Ireland’s newest female-only prison is currently operating at 27% above its stated capacity, the director general of the prison service has said.

There are currently 71 inmates in custody at Limerick Women’s Prison, which opened late last year at a cost of €53m. It has a capacity of 56.