Prison Probe | 

Gardaí investigating if prison officer arrested in connection with drugs seizure is associate of major crime gang

He is expected to appear before a sitting of the Dublin District Court this morning.

Today at 07:32

Gardaí are investigating if a prison officer arrested over a drugs bust is associated with a Dublin-based crime group.

The jail worker was detained on Thursday night after gardaí recovered cash and tablets in his home on the capital’s northside.

The Mountjoy Prison officer was detained under drug trafficking legislation and has since been charged in relation to the incident.

He is expected to appear before a sitting of the Dublin District Court this morning.

Authorities are now probing if the prison officer was working in conjunction with jailed associates of a west Dublin organised crime group.

One source told The Irish Independent: “This individual has been looked at for some time and the raid was carried out as part of an intelligence operation.

“Given his position there are concerns about the smuggling of drugs into the prison but at this stage the matter relates to controlled drugs found at his property.

“Several avenues are being followed including whether he had effectively been turned by inmates affiliated to a major drugs network”.

The search was carried out under warrant on Thursday night resulting in €2,000 worth of pills and €1,200 in cash being seized.

A Garda spokesperson said: “Gardai from the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) conducted a search under warrant at a residence in Ballymun, Dublin 11, on the evening of Thursday 8th February 2024.

“In excess of €2,000 of controlled drugs in tablet form were seized in addition to €1,200 in cash.

“A man in his 30s has been arrested in connection with this seizure and he is currently being detained under the provisions of Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a Dublin City Garda Station.

“All of the drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis.”

The individual has since been charged and is due to appear before a sitting of Dublin district court on Saturday morning.

A spokesperson for the Irish Prison said it would “not be appropriate” to comment on matters relating to any individual staff member.

“The Irish Prison Service sets high standards in respect of its staff and requires that all staff carry out their duties with integrity, commitment and professionalism. The vast majority of staff adhere to these standards at all times.

“In circumstances where the conduct of a staff member does fall below the high standards expected, this is treated with the utmost seriousness in accordance with the Civil Service Code of Discipline,” the spokesperson added.