Families of inmates at Cork Prison being blackmailed, councillor claims

James Cox

A Cork councillor has claimed family members of inmates at Cork Prison are being blackmailed.

Independent councillor Ken O'Flynn said families are being forced to try to get drugs into the prison, and have run up debt with criminal gangs.

The Irish Prison Service said it conducts regular checks of cells on a daily basis, and is committed to stopping access to contraband.

Mr O'Flynn said some families say they have attempted to throw drugs over the wall to get them into Cork Prison.

He told Newstalk: "They're under severe pressure from their family member who is in the prison to to either bring in drugs or get drugs in some sort of way.

"I've had families tell me debts have been ran up and trying to pay off criminal gangs who are intimidating them. Telling them that their loved one will be hurt, beaten, or badly treated in the prison system."