Prison officer arrested after 'drugs found sewn into his work clothes'

11 February 2024 , 21:45

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Detectives suspect he had been supplying inmates (Image: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

A prison officer was arrested after large quantities of drugs were found sewn into his uniform.

The illicit substance was found during a probe of his home by Gardaí, who unearthed tablets sewn into his prison uniform. Detectives suspect he had been supplying inmates at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin where he worked, Dublin Live reported.

A source said: “We understand hundreds of illegal pills were found and many were hidden by deliberately seeming them into his uniform. It looks like it was a very sophisticated drug smuggling operation. The prison authorities had been cracking down on drugs getting into Mountjoy with the introduction of new x-ray machines for visitors. The last thing you expect is a member of staff to be involved.”

Gardai carried out the raid on the prison officer's home on the north side of Dublin on Thursday night. Later on officers arrested him, with the guard facing questions on Sunday. The Prison Officer has not been suspended but a full internal probe is underway.

The prison officer is understood to work at Mountjoy Prison (Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photo Agency, Dublin)

The Irish Prison Service said it does not comment on matters relating to individual members of staff but that the vast majority of its employees carry out their duties to the highest of standard with great dedication and integrity.

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A Garda spokesman said: "Gardaí from the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) conducted a search under warrant at a residence in Ballymun, Dublin 11, on the evening of Thursday 8 February 2024. In excess of €2,000 (£1,700) of controlled drugs in tablet form were seized in addition to €1,200 in cash.

"A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with this seizure and he is currently being detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Dublin City Garda Station. All of the drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis. Investigations are ongoing."

Mountjoy Prison - nicknamed The Joy - is a medium security men's prison located in the centre of Dublin.

John Kierans