Prison officer seriously hurt in blade attack

Prison officers held emergency talks with prison management today after a gym instructor was slashed by an inmate at Castlerea Prison.

The officer was attacked with a blade after an altercation with the prisoner over use of the gym facilities at the Co Roscommon medium security prison.

A Prison Services spokeswoman said the prisoner was being returned to his cell because he was not wearing proper gym clothing when he launched the "totally unprovoked attack" on the officer.

He received serious injuries, including having an ear nearly severed and suffering lacerations to the left side of his face and cuts on the top of his head which could require up to 40 stitches.

He was brought to University College Hospital Galway where he was discharged last night. He was readmitted today for further treatment.

The prisoner involved is understood to be a Scottish national who is serving a 12 year sentence for importing heroin. The spokeswoman said the man has a history of attacking staff and prisoners in a number of different prisons.

He is currently being held in isolation pending a prison inquiry and a Garda investigation.

The Prison Officers' Association said it had held an emergency meeting with the authorities in Castlerea.

"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.

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."