Prison security protest
Mountjoy inmates riot
Sunday July 13 2008
More than 70 prisoners, many armed, barricaded themselves into a recreation room in the D Wing of Mountjoy prison in a stand-off with prison officers yesterday evening.
Seven people -- four staff and three prisoners -- were injured in the altercation which last several hours. The incident is understood to have started shortly after 4pm and concluded shortly before 7pm.
Prison staff retreated out of D Wing and senior management, including the prison governor John Lonergan, were called in to the prison.
100 prison officers in full riot gear stormed the area and took control of the situation and escorted the prisoners back to their cells.
It is believed that the prisoners had broken into a workshop and gained access to dangerous tools.
It is also understood that the prisoners had access to snooker cues and balls from the recreation room and it is believed that they were used during the altercation.
A large number of gardai were drafted in during the protest. Several ambulances sped away from the prison shortly after 6pm with sirens blazing. As a result of the major security alert, the rest of the prison was locked down, with all other prisoners returned to their cells. Senior figures were reluctant to make an official statement last night for fear that it would heighten tensions within the prison.
Though prison services remained tight-lipped as to the cause of the protest, it is understood that it occurred as a result of unhappiness about new security measures introduced by officers in recent days.
A clampdown on drugs and illegally held mobile phones is also believed to have been a contributory factor.
- Andrea Byrne
