Gardaí quiz prison officers after uncovering drugs
Two prison officers were this afternoon still being questioned following a drugs raid on a number of homes and staff offices at the Portlaoise and Midlands prisons.
A small quantity of cannabis and cocaine was recovered during the searches on houses located near the prisons.
The two prison officers were arrested after small amounts of cocaine and cannabis were found in an operation early this morning mounted to stop smuggling into Ireland's maximum security prison.
Nine homes were searched as well as prison officers' cells and lockers in both the Portlaoise and Midlands prisons.
The men, aged 34 and 37, were taken to Newbridge Garda station where they continue to be questioned under section four of the Criminal Justice Act.
Portlaoise maximum security prison houses drugs baron John Gilligan, members of the Dublin and Limerick drug-trafficking gangs and dissident republicans.
