Statement from Prison Officers Association, Mountjoy incident

We are aware of an issue, allegedly involving drugs, at Mountjoy prison this morning. It would not be appropriate to comment on a specific matter, which is currently under investigation.

We wish to restate the position of the POA on the matter of members who may, for whatever reason, involve themselves in drug trafficking. Such persons will have no support whatever from this organisation – the actions of the few can bring disgrace and embarrassment to all of the hardworking prison officers around the country, who would have no tolerance of or take part in any form of illegal activity.

Prison officers are the people on the front line in the fight against drugs entering our prisons. They do everything possible; as has been well documented, to block the flow of drugs into prison – and many have been injured while doing this very difficult and challenging work.

The drugs issue in our prisons is extremely serious. It puts lives at risk, it leads to further criminality inside and outside our prisons and a resolution, which is possible, must be driven persistently and consistently from the highest levels of prison service management.