Prison ups security for arrival of violentcriminal Dumbrell

Leonard Dumbrell (26), who has 108 previous criminal convictions, will be sentenced later for leading gardai on a high-speed city centre chase in which he nearly knocked over pedestrians on O'Connell Bridge.

Sources say Dumbrell will be "monitored very, very carefully" in Cloverhill because of his previous extremely poor disciplinary record behind bars, which marked him out as one of the country's worst prisoners.

CONTRABAND

The Herald can reveal that while serving other sentences he has amassed 87 P-19 reports which are given to prisoners for serious breaches of discipline while in jail.

Dumbrell has been reported for multiple instances of being caught with mobile phones, drugs and other contraband as well abusing and assaulting staff, refusing orders and fighting with other prisoners.

"This individual is some piece of work, he will need to be watched very closely," a source said.

One of the most serious incidents Dumbrell was involved in was a St Stephen's Day riot at St Patrick's Institution in 2005 in which four prison officers were injured.

He was caged for two years in February 2008 when he assaulted a prison officer as he was trying to restrain another inmate.

Heroin addict Dumbrell is expected to share a cell in Cloverhill with an associate of his who cannot be named.

There are no plans at the moment to move him to the Midlands Prison.

Two of Dumbrell's older brothers, Warren (40) and Jeffrey (34), are in prison for murdering a father of six in front of his wife and children.

They were jailed for life in February 2011 after being convicted of the brutal 2006 murder of Christopher Cawley.

kfoy@herald.ie