Wheatfield Prison officers in dispute

Prison officers at Wheatfield Prison, Dublin, have voted by 246 to 13 for industrial action because they object to the way in…

Prison officers at Wheatfield Prison, Dublin, have voted by 246 to 13 for industrial action because they object to the way in which internal investigations are conducted there, writes Padraig Yeates.

The executive of the Prison Officers Association is to meet next Tuesday to consider what form of industrial action will be sanctioned. It will also consider what emergency cover should be provided if the dispute escalates.

The prison has implemented a new format for investigating incidents and Mr Tom Hoare, of the POA, says the situation had been aggravated by management's refusal to allow staff be represented by union officers.