Nine inmates overdose at Midlands Prison, three hospitalised

Nine people overdosed at Midlands Prison on Friday, with three requiring hospital treatment. The Irish Prison Service says drone activity near the facility may be linked.

Nine overdoses at Midlands Prison amid suspected drone-dropped contraband

Nine inmates overdosed at Midlands Prison on Friday, with three requiring hospitalisation, TheJournal.ie reports. The Irish Prison Service (IPS) confirmed it is working closely with the HSE in response to what it described as a "number of overdose presentations in custody".

It is understood that drone activity around the prison in recent days may have facilitated the delivery of contraband. Midlands Prison is a closed, medium-security facility with a capacity of up to 891 adult males.

In a statement, the IPS said: "Extra vigilance is being taken within the prison and information for prisoners around the dangers of consuming contraband has commenced." The service added that it "is committed to preventing the access of contraband, including drugs, into prisons."

Prison staff have increased the frequency of random and intelligence-led cell searches on a daily basis. The canine unit is also conducting searches across the prison, including of deliveries arriving into the facility.

The IPS said it continues to invest in new technologies and measures to keep contraband out of its prisons. It also highlighted ongoing cooperation with An Garda Síochána at both local and national level.

"The sharing of intelligence has led to target searches resulting in the seizure of contraband," the service said.

Source: TheJournal.ie