To identify a chemical that several convicts at Portlaoise Prison took yesterday, investigations are underway, reports RTE.
Following alleged drug overdoses at the jail, eleven individuals were sent to Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise.
Six inmates who were released from the hospital have reportedly returned to prison, according to the Irish Prison Service.
Three others are still in the intensive care unit and are said to be improving with therapy.
Two other inmates are still in the hospital and are doing well, reports RTE.
It is acknowledged that the purpose of the testing is to identify if the substance consumed was a stimulant or a synthetic opioid.
Later results are anticipated.
Following the event, the Irish Prison Service said that further security measures will be implemented.
It occurs three weeks after the IPS, in response to the discovery of nitazine—a narcotic that can cause a lethal overdose—issued an urgent drug alert for all prisons, reports RTE.
In case clinical intervention is necessary, the IPS has stated that it is collaborating closely with the Health Service Executive and has obtained more naloxone kits.
This prescription medicine is used to momentarily counteract the effects of opioids.
In a statement, the IPS stated that it is “committed to preventing the access of contraband including drugs into prisons and continues to be a high priority for the Irish Prison Service”, reports RTE.
According to the IPS, daily cell searches conducted by the Canine Unit and random and intelligence-led searches by prison personnel have risen, and deliveries into prisons are also searched by the Unit.
It said: “The Irish Prison Service continues to engage with An Garda SÃochána with regard to preventing contraband entering our prison and this happens at both local and national level. The Operational Support Group work closely with their colleagues in An Garda SÃochána on a regular basis and the sharing of intelligence has led to target searches resulting in the seizure of contraband,” reports RTE.
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