Prison officers have called on the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to establish an independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment within the Prison Service, writes Lorna Siggins.
The Minister, who is due to address the Prison Officers' Association (POA) annual conference in Galway this morning, has also been asked to set up an independent consultative system.
The demands follow a one-hour industrial protest by POA members at Castlerea Prison, Co Roscommon, yesterday over unresolved claims of bullying and sexual harassment. The work stoppage took the form of a picket outside the prison.
Along with a similar stoppage in March, in 15 years it was the first time the POA had engaged in such industrial action, Mr John Clinton, the union's general secretary, said.
A spokesman for the Prison Service told The Irish Times the action was regrettable. The service had engaged in "extensive and intensive" negotiations with the POA on the issue.
Mr Clinton said the union had sought the appointment of a Civil Service mediator as the best way to deal with the problem, rather than "sending two managers to deal with a manager". The Prison Service had not responded to this offer, he said.
"Since February 2002, we have raised 44 issues regarding Castlerea Prison with the Prison Service. Regrettably, very few of these issues have been satisfactorily dealt with. There is now a complete breakdown in industrial relations at the prison and both local and national management must take responsibility for this,"he said.
"One reported case of serious bullying was recently reported to management and thrown out," Mr Clinton said. "This case is most serious and must be dealt with in the interests of the person who is being victimised."
Mr Gabriel Keaveny, POA president, said last night: "This is an important issue, which is contributing to wastage, absenteeism and severe stress."