TikTok influencer under investigation after breaking into old Cork Prison

Olivia Kelleher

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) has confirmed that they are aware of an incident of “unlawful entry” at the site of the former Cork Prison and are assisting gardaí with their enquiries.

In a video posted on TikTok, a man is seen filming a walk around the old prison which he describes as being one of the best abandoned facilities of its type he has ever seen.

The social media influencer behind the post specialises in visiting abandoned buildings.

In a statement the IPS said that the matter has been reported to gardaí.

“We are assisting them in their enquiries. The Prison Service takes the security of all facilities within the prison estate very seriously. However, we do not comment on security or operational matters.

"Members of the public are advised not to attempt to enter the former prison for safety reasons. All such instances will be reported to gardaí.

"In relation to the future of the site, the IPS has indicated that engineering consultants are carrying out a detailed assessment of the facility in order to provide a feasibility report on the site.

"They will then consider options for its “potential short, medium and long term use.”

The IPS statement also emphasises the poor condition of the prison when it closed eight years ago.

“It is important to recognise that multiple reports including those by the Inspector of Prison and the CPT and the 2012 feasibility study on Cork Prison highlighted at the time serious deficiencies on the physical conditions of the former prison and significant health and safety concerns which resulted in the then closure of the facility and the construction of a new prison.”

Meanwhile, the old Cork Prison closed in 2016. It was originally built as detention unit by the British army in 1806 as part of its Victoria Barracks.

A new €45 million prison was built on Rathmore Road in Cork in 2016. The feasibility report on the old site is “expected shortly.”