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Visiting restrictions will be eased further in Irish prisons, despite concerns about a growing number of Covid-19 cases. Shutterstock/Derick Hudson

Visiting restrictions relaxed further for prisoners - except at Portlaoise and Midlands prisons

Limits on visiting were introduced at the start of the Covid-19 crisis.

THE IRISH PRISON Service is pushing on with plans for a loosening of visiting restrictions from today, despite concerns about a rising number of Covid-19 cases. 

From today, all prisoners will be able to receive one family visit every two weeks, which can be attended by one adult and one child. 

The first phase of the easing of visiting restrictions – introduced in response to the coronavirus pandemic – saw one adult visitor allowed into the prison from 20 July. 

All visiting was stopped at the start of the crisis, over fears of a significant outbreak of the virus among the prison population – many of whom would be deemed vulnerable. 

“Phase 2 is going ahead as planned,  It allows for one child under 18 per visit,” an Irish Prison Service spokesperson told TheJournal.ie. 

“All public health measures advised to IPS are being implemented in full in prisons where Phase 2 commences today. Families still retain the option of not visiting a prison, but conducting their visits through video calls,” the spokesperson said. 

The decision to commence Phase Two comes as concerns grow among health officials about a spike in Covid-19 cases across the country. On Saturday, 200 new cases were reported – the highest level since May. 

However, due to the localised restrictions in Kildare, Laois and Offaly, the relaxed visiting restrictions will not be applied to Portlaoise Prison and the Midlands Prison. 

Earlier this month, visits to these prisons were suspended as a response to the spike in cases in the three counties. 

The lifting of restrictions “commenced today other than in Portlaoise and Midlands Prisons in line with government travel restrictions”, the spokesperson said. 

The Irish Prison Service was hailed for keeping the virus out of prisons, with its efforts cited by the World Health Organization. 

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    Mute John Considine
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:03 AM

    Guys like this are what Ireland needs, reopening a disused building and doing something useful and productive with it. This is a good news story.

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    Mute Leeroy Browne
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    Apr 20th 2019, 9:05 AM

    Michael wright & mick wallace could be the new damo & ivor

    158
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    Mute bings
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:32 AM

    @Leeroy Browne: The only thing is Damo & Ivor are the same guy.

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:05 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:05 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:05 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute Stevie B
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:06 PM

    @bings: Have you ever seen Mick Wallace and Wright in the same room ???

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    Mute El Psy Kongaroo
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    Apr 20th 2019, 8:45 PM

    @Stevie B: Dose of the repetitions

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:15 AM

    The first? Did the Epicurean Foodhall on Liffey Street not do the same thing?

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    Mute Atlas' burden
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    Apr 20th 2019, 12:31 PM

    @Grumpyoldtroll: that’s closed now and now it’s dealz

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    Mute Grumpyoldtroll
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    Apr 20th 2019, 1:19 PM

    @Atlas’ burden: I know that. It was still the first

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    Mute Snotser Galligan
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:09 AM

    Michael Wright has phenomenal hair

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    Mute RMcCawley
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:44 AM

    @Snotser Galligan: embracing his inner Jon Bon Jovi

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    Mute Snotser Galligan
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:46 AM

    @RMcCawley: Jon Bon Jovi wears Michael Wright pyjamas

    29
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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:42 AM

    Hardly that many ‘residential properties’ in that vicinity – and those that are must be well used to a bit of late bussle ….. and worse!

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    Mute steve white
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    Apr 20th 2019, 1:35 PM

    @Michael Kavanagh: did they just not want the place to turn into a super pub

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:22 PM

    @Michael Kavanagh: Is it another PPP bull…

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    Mute Dan Linehan
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:18 AM

    He looks like a Targaryen.with those locks.

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    Mute kevin mc cormack
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    Apr 20th 2019, 11:26 AM

    Always the same in Ireland,yes yes you can do it (BUT),always trying to put you in your place.

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    Mute Stevie Doran
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    Apr 20th 2019, 4:02 PM

    Thank god it’s not going to be another press up burger hole

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    Mute Lesley McCarthy
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    Apr 20th 2019, 6:21 PM

    I used to work in there and it’s a beautiful building. I’m glad it’s going to be reopened.

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    Mute Honey Badger
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:42 AM

    Fair play micka

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    Mute James Pea
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    Apr 20th 2019, 10:31 AM

    A pity these stupid yet inevitable restrictions by DCC mean it won’t be open in time for Summer.

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    Mute steve white
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    Apr 20th 2019, 12:52 PM

    @James Pea: they didn’t want it to turn into a pub?

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    Mute Neil Ferriter
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    Apr 20th 2019, 1:13 PM

    @steve white: do other restuarants close at 10? Or turn into pubs, ridiculous condition.

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