The accused was initially charged with sexual assault, but entered a guilty plea to three counts of gross indecency.

There were 111 in Midlands Prison in Portlaoise last year - a 54 per cent increase on the 72 in 2023.

The alleged assault happened on Monday evening when a man used a back door to gain entry to the nursing home in the midlands.

Addressing 400 delegates at the party's Ard Fheis, leader Peader Toibín says the fact four south Dublin TDs were ministers exacerbates imbalanced regional development.

The man is due to reappear on April 4, when it is hoped a book of evidence will be served.

The current bed capacity is 340 at Castlerea prison, with inmates taking up 109% of the overall beds available.

The operation was part of ongoing investigations into the activities of an Eastern European organised criminal gang operating throughout the midlands.

It's going from 4 to 5 seats, after counties Laois and Offaly transfer from the South to the Midlands.