137 assaults in two local prisons last year, including attacks on staff

There were almost 140 assaults in local two prisons last year, new figures have revealed.

There were 26 in Castlerea prison, with six prison officers attacked by inmates and there were 20 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults.

There were 111 attacks in Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, with 19 prison officers attacked by inmates and there were 92 prisoner-on-prisoner assaults.

The figures for Midlands Prison were among the highest in the country last year, with a total of 773 attacks in jails around the country last year.