Eleven prisoners have been hospitalised following a refusal from the inmates of Cloverhill Prison to return to their cells.
Two inmates who climbed onto the roof are still there and have caused a significant amount of damage. One prisoner being held hostage was beaten, sustained a broken arm and was then slashed across the face with a makeshift knife.
A stand-off erupted between 60 inmates this afternoon when they refused to leave the exercise yard. 45 later returned to their cells but the other 15 remained, armed with makeshift weapons. It is reported that goalposts were ripped from the ground, broken, and used to pull down the razor wire in order to gain access to the roof.
A security and observation hut has also been destroyed in the unrest. Some inmates used bits of the broken goalpost or parts of the hut to attack officers.
Prison officers moved in armed with riot shields and batons, forcing the inmates back into their cells. Back-up was sent from Wheatfield Prison where prisoners were locked in their cells. Two inmates remain on the roof of the prison. Prison Authorities have said that thousands of euros in damage has been caused and that they are making every effort to get the prisoners down.