Irish prisons implement daily cell searches after Gardaí catch drone delivering heroin

Irish prisons are implementing major security changes after a drone bound for a west Dublin prison was found to be carrying heroin. 

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has re-affirmed its commitment to investing in new technologies and measures to support their efforts to keep contraband out of prisons. 

Prison staff have reportedly increased the use of random and intelligence-led cell searches on a daily basis, and Canine Units are carrying out searches around the prisons with a greater focus on searching deliveries. 

The move comes following the seizure of a drone and a quantity of diamorphine (heroin) intended for delivery into a Dublin prison on February 12. 

Additionally, a 42 year old man was arrested yesterday (February 23) following an operation targeting the supply of controlled substances into prisons in the west Dublin area. 

During the operation, Gardaí from the Drugs Unit in Ronanstown conducted a search of a residential property, leading to the discovery of over €180,000, a €10,000 designer watch, and several mobile phones. 

The IPS today (February 24) thanked Gardaí for "their continued efforts and collaboration" to keep drugs out of prisons. 

In a statement, a spokesperson said: "The arrest and seizure yesterday shows we are intent on tackling those who wish to do harm by bringing drugs into our prisons.

"The Irish Prison Service is committed to preventing the access of contraband including drugs into prisons and continues to be a high priority for the Irish Prison Service." 

The statement continued: "[We] are committed to strengthening our measures in keeping drugs out of prison and in this regard a new Drug Strategy was published last November. This new strategy sets out clear measures to be taken by the Irish Prison Service to tackle the problem of substance abuse in prisons over the next three years." 

Prisoners, visitors, staff or members of the public with information on the trafficking of prohibited items into Irish prisons can pass on the information in the strictest confidence by free phoning 1800 855 717 or texting 086 180 2449.