Ex-prisoners challenge decision to exclude them from slopping out compensation scheme

Both men's applications were excluded from the compensation scheme on the grounds their claims were statute barred

The separate actions have been brought by Malcom Pitt, 42, who was in Mountjoy Prison from December 2010 until June 2011 and John O'Brien, 28, who was imprisoned at Cork Prison, Limerick Prison and Portlaoise Prison from March 2013 to July 2014. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Two men who claim they were forced to "slop out" when serving sentences at Irish prisons have brought High Court challenges over their exclusion from a State scheme to compensate prisoners who had to engage in the practice.

The separate actions have been brought by Malcom Pitt, 42, who was in Mountjoy Prison from December 2010 until June 2011 and John O'Brien, 28, who was imprisoned at Cork Prison, Limerick Prison and Portlaoise Prison from March 2013 to July 2014.