Nine prisoners overdose at Midlands Prison Portlaoise, one in intensive care

Nine inmates overdosed at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise on Friday, with three requiring hospital treatment. Two prison officers were assaulted during the incident.

Mass overdose at Midlands Prison leaves one inmate in ICU

Nine prisoners overdosed at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise on Friday, the Irish Times reports, with three requiring hospital treatment. As of Saturday evening, one inmate remained in the intensive care unit at Midland Regional Hospital Portlaoise.

Two prison officers were assaulted by a prisoner during the incident.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) confirmed it is working closely with the HSE in the aftermath of the overdoses. In a statement, the IPS said it is "committed to preventing the access of contraband including drugs into prisons and [this] continues to be a high priority."

The service added that it has "committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support our efforts to keep contraband out of prisons." Extra vigilance is now being applied within the facility, and information for prisoners about the dangers of consuming contraband has been circulated.

Staff have increased the use of random and intelligence-led cell searches on a daily basis, the IPS said, and canine units carry out regular searches across prisons. The service also works closely with An Garda Síochána to prevent contraband entering facilities and to share intelligence that has led to seizures.

The IPS appealed to prisoners, visitors, staff, and members of the public with information about contraband trafficking to make contact via its free confidential telephone line on 1800 855 717 or by text on 086 180 2449. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.

Source: Irish Times