Updated at 6.40pm
PRISONERS INVOLVED IN a violent protest at Cloverhill in west Dublin earlier are being treated at two hospitals this evening.
Two prisoners who climbed onto the roof of the complex in the course of the protest are still refusing to come down.
Around 60 prisoners were involved at the height of today’s incident. Most have now been returned to their cells, as a smaller number receive medical treatment.
A spokesperson for Tallaght Hospital confirmed a number of prisoners had been taken to the facility under escort – but said the emergency department remained in operation.
At St James’s, close to the city centre, management placed the hospital on high alert.
A source said the situation was “like a warzone”.
A spokesperson for St James’s, however, said the hospital had only received one prisoner.
Riot gear
The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that Control and Restrain teams were sent to bring the men in the prison’s B Yard back to their cells.
“A number of prisoners were injured during this incident and damage was caused to the prison,” a statement this evening said.
Attempts were initially made to resolve the situation through negotiation, the Service said.
However, the situation worsened – and one prisoner was subjected to a serious assault by some of the other inmates.
Cloverhill’s Governor then ordered the Control and Restraint Teams to enter the yard and remove the remaining inmates. There were 15 still involved in the protest at that stage.
“The matter will now be subject to an internal investigation and an investigation by An Garda Síochána,” this evening’s statement said.
The Director General would like to commend the management and staff for the very professional manner in which they managed this incident.
Staff at nearby Wheatfield were sent to help as the stand-off developed, while other prisoners were locked in their cells.
With reporting by Cliodhna Russell.
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