PORTLAOISE PRISON

'Portlaoise Prison' is a maximum security prison located in Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland. It should not be confused with the Midlands Prison, which is a newer, medium security prison situated directly beside it.
The prison was built in the 1830's, making it one of the oldest in the Irish prison system -- it still operates to this day. It is noted as the prison in which convicted members of the IRA and other illegal paramilitary organisations are usually detained.
The current prison warden is Mr. T.J. Walsh.
The prison has a capacity for 203 prisoners, but because of the security sensitive nature of its inmates, it operates below this capacity. A large number of well armed Irish Defence Forces soldiers are guarding the prison 24 hours a day, making it the most secure prison in Europe.
The security features include a detachment of a hundred and twenty troops, armed with rifles and anti-aircraft machine guns, who patrol the perimeter, the rooftops and man the watch towers. An air exclusion zone operates over the entire complex. The perimeter consists of high walls, cameras, sensors and acres of tank traps.
Through the years there have been various high profile attempts to spring terrorists from inside the walls. In one case a helicopter was used and in another a truck was converted into a crude tank used in an attempt to smash through the prison gates. Both attempts failed.

Contents

Notable inmates

External links

Notable inmates

★ Michael McKevitt Organiser of the Omagh Bombing in 1998

★ John Gilligan

★ Dessie O'Hare, a.k.a. "The Border Fox" -- Recently released

External links

★ Irish Prison Service: Portlaoise Prison