09/03/2015

Officers Injured In Prison Attack

Two prison officers were injured in separate incidents at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise yesterday.

The Irish Prison Service confirmed that the two officers were injured between 11:00 and 12:00 as a result of in-fighting between inmates.

One officer was slashed in the back with a homemade knife when he intervened during an attack on an inmate.

A second officer was then also injured trying to restrain another inmate. He was kicked a number of times and suffered a broken ankle and ribs.

Investigations are under way into the attacks, which took place in the E wing.

Both officers were taken to Portlaoise hospital for treatment.

Prison Officers Association Deputy General Secretary Jim Mitchell said: "These incidents, coming so soon after our two colleagues suffered a most serious assault at Tallaght Hospital recently, raise many issues for the Prison Officers' Association and our individual members in regard to a reasonable expectation of 'safety at work'."

(IT/JP)

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