26/06/2014

Drone Crashes In Prison Yard While Delivering Drugs

An investigation has been launched into an incident in which a remote controlled helicopter crashed in the exercise yard of Wheatfield Prison in Dublin.

According to reports the drone helicopter crash landed in the yard at about 11am on Wednesday. It is believed that the device was fitted with a camera, and was carrying a package, suspected to be drugs.

It is understood that the package was suspended from the helicopter by a rope and a number of inmates had gathered beneath it when it became entangled in anti-helicopter wires, crash landing in the yard.

RTÉ report that a prison source told them that inmates rushed the downed drone trying to recover the package, before guards could restrain them.

The drone has been handed over to gardaí who have launched an investigation.

Anti-helicopter wire had been installed at Irish prisons following the 1973 IRA escape from Mountjoy Prison.

(MH/CD)

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