Prison officer's home targeted in 'sinister' arson attack which 'could have led to loss of life'

Gardaí said they are investigating the incident. File picture

Gardaí are investigating a petrol bomb attack on the home of a prison officer in the early hours of this morning.

The Prison Officers' Association (POA) said the petrol bomb smashed through a front window. It said the attack was "extremely sinister in nature and could have led to loss of life".

The house, in Co Meath, was occupied by the prison officer and his wife at the time of the attack, at around 5am. No serious physical injuries were sustained.

The officer is understood to work in the intelligence group in a Dublin prison. Gardaí will investigate if the attack was linked to his work in tackling drugs supply, or other contraband, into the prison.

The POA has previously highlighted concerns at the scale of organised drug smuggling into prisons.

This includes the use of drones to smuggle drugs in. In some cases a large basketball-type container is fastened to a long wire attached to the drone.

Flammable liquid is put on the ball, which is lighted. It is then flown over prison yards and burns through security nets. The contents — often drugs valued up to €70,000 — drop down to the yard and are picked up by inmates.

Efforts by the Operational Support Group — the intelligence unit in prisons charged with combating contraband supply — as well as general prison officers to thwart or intercept drugs creates significant tensions with drug dealers in prisons.

Gardaí will also investigate if there are any other reasons why the officer was targeted and will talk to his colleagues and other prison staff.

It is understood new security measures were being put in place at the officer's house today following the incident.

The POA sought an urgent meeting with the Irish Prison Service (IPS) director General Caron McCaffrey, which is due to be held this afternoon.

The association is also seeking a meeting with Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. 

“We believe it is linked to his work,” POA deputy general secretary Gabriel Keaveny said. “In the early hours of the morning, a petrol bomb was thrown into a front window of his house. It was occupied at the time.

“Anything could have happened, it could have burned down the house and genuinely this could have lead to loss of life, if the house had gone up in flames.” 

Mr Keaveny added: "There have been similar instances of attacks on prison officers' homes in the past, which understandably are a shocking ordeal for prison officers and their families."

"It is now important that the perpetrators of this cowardly and frightening attack are brought to justice.

"We will be offering continued support to the prison officer involved and his family as they deal with this shocking ordeal."

'Any act of violence against a prison officer is unacceptable'

In a statement, the IPS said: “Any act of violence against a prison officer is unacceptable. Any criminal act carried out within our prisons, including assaults or threats on a staff member, are reported to An Gardaí Síochána for investigation and prosecution.” 

It said staff subject to an assault or threat are given the necessary supports through the employee assistance programme.

It said that Section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 specifically provides for assaults or threats to peace officers, including prison officers acting in the execution of their duty.

“Any person who assaults or threatens to assault a peace officer in the execution of their duty is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment not exceeding 12 months or both or on convictions on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 years or both,” the statement said.

“Irish Prison Service engages with An Garda Síochána with regard to the reporting of any possible criminal act and this happens at both local and national level. The Irish Prison Service continues to work with An Garda Síochána on a number of joint actions to target criminal gangs.”

It said there was a free confidential telephone line (1800 855 717) and text line (086 180 2449) that prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public can call “in the strictest confidence” to pass on information on criminal gangs.