Officer recovering after attack at Cork Prison

A prison officer is recovering in hospital after being attacked by an inmate in Cork Prison this afternoon.

The prison officer was on duty on B3 landing at the prison when the assault took place at aound 2.15pm. He was treated immediately by prison medical staff for head and facial injuries and was then transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.

The prisoner who is alleged to have carried out the attack is currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for a serious offence.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) said it was seriously concerned about what it called "a vicious and unprovoked attack" on one of its members.

"This is a most serious incident and we must look at ways of dealing with the ongoing threat of assaults on our members. Each and every day at least one of our members experiences some threat or assault and it is evident that the frequency and intensity of the assaults is on the increase," said John Clinton, general secretary of the POA.

"We are seeking an urgent meeting with senior officials of the Prison Service to discuss this and related incidents. We are also aware that Cork prison has very serious overcrowding issues and we have little doubt but this is a contributory factor to tension and violence," he added.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service confirmed that the attack had taken place and said the officer concerned remains in hospital where his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. He added that while it was true that Cork Prison is currently operating above capacity, "we wouldn't see this as excuse for any prisoner to attack one of our staff".

The spokesman said that a full Garda investigation into the incident would take place.