Prison officers in talks after knife attack on gym instructor
Prison officers held emergency talks with management today following a knife attack on a gym instructor in Castlerea prison.
The prison officer was slashed in the face with a Stanley knife, after telling an inmate that he could not use the gym without proper training gear.
He was rushed to hospital with one ear hanging off, lacerations to the left side of his face and cuts on the top of his head which could require up to 40 stitches.
The Prison Officers Association said it had held an emergency meeting with the authorities in the medium-security County Roscommon prison following yesterday’s attack.
“The whole security situation in Castlerea prison will have to be looked at, as will the situation where this type of prisoner would find himself there. Discussions are also ongoing with the Irish Prison Service on a national level,” said vice president Eugene Dennehy.
The inmate who carried out the attack is currently being detained in an isolation unit in the prison and will face criminal charges in connection with the attack. He is understood to be a Scottish national who was sentenced to 12 years in jail for importing heroin.
Mr Dennehy condemned the “savage and unprovoked” attack on an officer, who he said had been trying to help prisoners through his gym instruction.
“He is one of a number of people who work with the prisoners on a daily basis to try to provide services for them and rehabilitative therapy.”
The injured prison officer was brought to University College Hospital Galway where he was discharged last night. He was re-admitted today for further treatment.
