THREE PRISON OFFICERS and an inmate are recovering in hospital this morning after a massive brawl in Mountjoy Prison last night involving up to 80 inmates.

Fighting broke out shortly before 7pm, after teatime recreation, when one or two prisoners – wearing hoodies to conceal their identities – began attacking staff on duty in the exercise yard, armed with pool cues, snooker balls and steel bars.

There were just two or three officers on duty, who were forced to retreat and seek backup from other prisons, as well as asking off-duty officers to return to work to deal with the incident.

In the meantime, between 70 and 90 other inmates joined in the confrontation.

Before assistance came 45 minutes later, however, two of the officers on duty had been seriously injured. One was hit over the head with a pool cue, while the other was attacked with a snooker ball.

The canine unit was also summoned, but it is reported that the prisoners involved had anticipated their involvement and had armed themselves with bleach so as to ward off any attack from the Alsatians.

Another officer was injured when prisoners resisted attempts by the backup officers to take control of the exercise yard. The prisoners had been returned to their cells by 9:30pm.

Both the Prison Service director-general and Prison Officers’ Association spokesman said the wardens involved had acted “quickly and professionally” to retake control of the affected area of the yard.

The Prison Service and Gardaí are now investigating the incident.