THE PRISON OFFICERS Association have “utterly condemned” an arson attack on a prison officer’s home last night.

Branding the attack as “cowardly”, the Prison Officers Association said that the attack was “extremely sinister in nature” and could have lead to loss of life.

Gabriel Keaveny, Deputy General Secretary of the Prison Officers Association said today, “We have no doubt that this horrific attack related to the prison officers work”.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio today, Keaveny described the incident as “a most sinister development”, adding that “unfortunately, it’s not the first time that such an attack has taken place”.

“It’s not unusual for prisoners to threaten staff on an ongoing basis,” he said. 

“This is another level as far as we’re concerned, and no level of violence against prison staff is acceptable but this one is particularly sinister.”

He said “it does call into question exactly what, certainly the Minister for Justice and the Garda commissioner is going to do to protect prison officers”.

“We have to be sure that when we go into work, that we can return safely to our homes and to our families.”

He said his organisation has been seeking a meeting with Justice Minister Helen McEntee to discuss issues like overcrowding, drug trafficking and violence in prisons. 

“We now call on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that prison officers and their families are safe in their own homes. The government have a responsibility for the safety and security to its employees”.

The Prison Officers Association has also sought an urgent meeting with the Director of the Prison Service to discuss this most recent attack.

There have been similar instances of attacks on prison officers homes in the past, which understandably are a shocking ordeal for prison officers and their families, a spokesperson said.

“It is now important that the perpetrators of this cowardly and frightening attack are brought to justice.”

The Prison Officers Association said that it will be offering continued support to the prison officer involved and his family as they deal with this “shocking ordeal”.