Drone drops toxic drugs into Midlands Prison yard, three hospitalised
A drone delivered dangerous drugs to Midlands Prison in Portlaoise on Friday, causing multiple overdoses and three hospitalisations, one man remains in intensive care.
Drone contraband run at Portlaoise prison triggers overdose emergency
A drone dropped toxic drugs into the D-yard of the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise on Friday afternoon, irishexaminer.com reports, resulting in multiple overdoses and three men being taken to hospital. One of those men remains in intensive care.
The tablets, believed to contain a dangerous mix of substances, were delivered after 2pm while prisoners were already out in the yard. Three men required hospitalisation; approximately five others were treated for overdoses on-site by prison medical staff. Prison officers are also understood to have suffered assaults during the incident.
Sources told irishexaminer.com the Friday drop was approximately the fifth drone delivery at the prison that week. As well as drugs, drones have been used to smuggle mobile phones into the facility, and there is concern that weapons could follow. Some deliveries are as large as a breakfast cereal box, according to a source. The drones typically do not land, instead dropping their cargo from height before flying away quickly, making interception difficult.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) issued a statement on Saturday confirming it is working closely with the HSE in response to the overdoses. "Extra vigilance is being taken within the prison and information for prisoners around the dangers of consuming contraband has commenced," the IPS said.
The service described preventing contraband — including drugs — from entering prisons as a continuing high priority. It said prison staff have increased the use of random and intelligence-led cell searches on a daily basis, and that the Canine Unit is conducting searches throughout prison facilities, with a greater focus on deliveries coming into prisons.
The IPS said it continues to engage with An Garda Síochána at both local and national level on preventing contraband from entering prisons, and that intelligence-sharing between the two bodies has already led to targeted searches and seizures.
The service also committed to ongoing investment in new technologies and measures to counter contraband smuggling.
A free confidential telephone line — 1800 855 717 — and a text line — 086 180 2449 — are in operation. Prisoners, visitors, staff, or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into prisons can contact the IPS in confidence.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)