Sinn Féin spokesperson on Justice, Pa Daly TD, has today condemned a reported attack on a prison officer’s home in Co. Meath.

Teachta Daly said:

“I condemn this act in the strongest terms. Clearly, this was an attempt to intimidate the prison officer, and others who work in the sector.

“Our prisons are facing a number of challenges, with a large presence of organised crime, a shortage of staff and the dealing of drugs.

“I met recently with the Prison Officers’ Association and I support their calls for the Minister for Justice to meet with them urgently to discuss this attack and wider issues related to safety within prisons.

“A badly functioning prison system creates risk for all. We must have a system that detains offenders whilst allowing for rehabilitation back into society.

“We cannot allow prisons to become schools for organised crime, and all resources necessary must be provided to solve this crime and send a message that intimidation will not be tolerated.”