Prison officers return to work
Prison officers in Mountjoy returned to work tonight after a dispute over an inmate being taken out of solitary confinement.
A number of staff refused to go back to work at the Dublin jail in the afternoon after a convict successfully challenged his incarceration.
Leroy Dumbrell returned to Mountjoy after a successful court challenge to his detention in Castlerea Prison.
The 24-year-old, who is serving eight years for assault, had been held in the Roscommon facility for five months.
The Prison Officers’ Association (POA) claimed the decision to bring him back to Mountjoy had been designed to create conflict.
The dispute was resolved after the governor held talks with prison staff.
The POA said officers have given a commitment to remain at work but plan to hold a ballot over the next week on what further action, if any, may be taken.
“Staff still have concerns for their safety,” a spokesman said.
The Irish Prison Service (IPS) condemned the wildcat walkout and was forced to lock up all inmates and cancel visits.
POA Deputy General Secretary Eugene Dennehy however said the safety of both staff and prisoners is being jeopardised.
"People have to remember that just last Friday a prison officer had his face slashed," Mr Dennehy said.
"He had to get 16 stitches to close the wound on his cheek.
"So there are real concerns in relation to the safety of prison officers at Mountjoy Prison," Mr Dennehy added.
"The fact that the management have breached the agreement there in relation to the regime that should apply is extremely concerning to the Prison Officers' Association."
