The Prison Officer's Association (POA) has voiced its concerns over conditions in Irish prisons during a meeting with the Irish Prison Service (IPS) this afternoon.
The POA claims that inmates and prison officers are increasingly being put at risk by the current overcrowding problem in Irish prisons, especially at Mountjoy in Dublin.
21-year-old Gary Douch was killed last week after he was put into a cell with six other inmates. Mr Douch had requested protective custody.
A 23-year-old man, who was discharged from Dublin Central Mental Hospital three weeks prior to the attack, was interviewed about the attack.
The POA also has concerns about overcrowding in the Cork, Wheatfield and Castlereagh prisons.
POA General Secretary John Clinton claims that their members cannot implement the directive of the Department of Justice to put protection prisoners in separate cells because they do not have the space.
The meeting is continuing this evening.