Mountjoy inmates protest over visiting rules

About 100 prisoners at Dublin's Mountjoy prison were locked in their cells today after they emptied the contents of their toilet…

About 100 prisoners at Dublin's Mountjoy prison were locked in their cells today after they emptied the contents of their toilet buckets over a landing.

The inmates were protesting over visitor restrictions at the jail.

New security measures were introduced last week requiring visitors to produce photographic identification to prison staff.

A Prison Service spokesman said the incident happened on B-Wing after the prisoners were released for breakfast.

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"The protest was unexpected. The measure was designed to protect prisoners as well as staff. There was a misunderstanding amongst prisoners," a spokesman said.

He said the measure would protect prisoners by preventing unwanted visitors who may bully them into smuggling drugs into the jail.

PA