The deaths of two prisoners in a 12-hour period in Mountjoy Prison yesterday have further exacerbated tensions in the State's largest jail. One man hanged himself and another died from an overdose.
Prison officers in riot gear were on standby at Mountjoy late last night, in case of any unrest following the deaths and a number of gang-related clashes in the jail in recent days.
The latest deaths follow the murder at the jail three weeks ago of 21-year-old Gary Douch, from Darndale, Dublin. He was beaten to death in a holding cell by a 23-year-old inmate with a history of psychiatric illness.
In the first of yesterday's fatalities, Michael Rogers (39), South Circular Road, Dublin, was found hanging in a protection cell on the C2 wing just after 3am. He had been involved in a fight at the jail on Wednesday with a number of men, one of whom is serving life for murder.
Rogers had asked to be placed in a protection cell for his own safety. He was nearing the end of an 18-month sentence for burglary-related offences.
Medical officers tried to revive him at the prison. He was then rushed to the Mater hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4am yesterday.
In the second fatal incident, John Wallis (21), from Wexford town fell ill in his cell in the basement area at lunchtime yesterday. It appeared he was under the influence of illicit drugs and efforts were made to revive him. He was taken to the Mater hospital where he was pronounced dead at 4.15pm.
Wallis was serving a nine-month sentence for a series of motoring offences. He was a "trustee prisoner" - meaning he was deemed a low-security risk and enjoyed special privileges such as reduced lock-up time.
His cell mate, believed by staff to have taken the same drugs, was taken to the Mater as a precaution yesterday.
Prison officer reinforcements were drafted into Mountjoy yesterday from Wheatfield and Cloverhill prisons in Dublin. Sources said many of the officers were told to wear breathing apparatus, and fire hoses were at the ready in case some inmates tried to set fire to the jail.
The officers were placed on riot standby after a 22-year-old Dublin drug dealer was transferred to the medical unit when he and his associates clashed with another faction.
The dealer's supporters started a petition to have him transferred back to the main jail. However, a leading member of one of Limerick's feuding gangs warned he would kill anybody who signed the petition.
Informed sources said senior management decided to request the reinforcements to be able to deal with any fallout from this dispute and also because of the general increase of tension within the prison.
Continuing overcrowding in Mountjoy Prison was highlighted again in the annual report, published yesterday, of the inspector of prisons, Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen. The report also heavily criticised Minister for Justice Michael McDowell and his department, accusing them of a "frightening and fascist" attitude to prison reform.
In particular, the report cites the Government's failure to deliver on a promise to establish the prisons inspectorate as an independent, statutory body. "I have asked in all my three annual reports that the Government do as it promised. Now it emerges that the Minister has 'other priorities'. This is outrageous and practically unbelievable."
The report also claims that rehabilitation of prisoners is low on the current list of priorities. "The whole system needs a radical, visionary, fundamental change which should be power-driven from the top."
Mr Justice Kinlen repeats a call he made in his 2005 annual report for the immediate closure of St Patrick's Institution, which he describes as a "finishing school for bullying and developing criminal skills".