The number of drugs and weapons smuggled into prisons soared last year - despite costly attempts to clamp down on contraband.
There were 1,018 drug seizures, up 42pc on 2016, and 557 weapon seizures, up 28pc. The number of mobile phones confiscated was up 35pc at 870.
The increases are despite the Irish Prison Service (IPS) spending more than €313,000 on systems to tackle smuggling, including the installation of nets over exercise yards to catch drugs thrown over walls or dropped by drones.
More than a third of all drug seizures in Irish jails occurred at Mountjoy (373).
The next-highest haul was from inmates at Wheatfield, where 183 seizures were recorded. There were 13 seizures at the Dochas Centre, which accommodates female prisoners.
Source: Darragh McDonagh,The Irish Independent, 26/02/18
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