Prison authorities, assisted by Gardaí, confiscated on average more than one weapon per day in Irish jails last year, as the total number of weapon seizures jumped by 70 per cent.
New data from the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, shows that the Irish Prison Service (IPS) seized 441 weapons across the prison system in 2025, reports Breaking News.
The 441 weapons taken represent a 70 per cent increase compared with the 260 weapons seized in 2024.
In a written response to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, O’Callaghan also revealed that a total of 1,163 drug seizures were carried out — averaging more than three per day in 2025, reports Breaking News.
The 1,163 drug seizures mark a 12 per cent rise on the 1,035 seizures recorded in 2024.
Prison authorities additionally seized 1,647 illegally held mobile phones in 2025, up 33 per cent from the 1,236 confiscated in 2024, reports Breaking News.
Gardaí made 84 arrests in 2025 linked to the seizures, as any suspected drug incident is referred to them for further investigation.
In his written reply to Tóibín, O’Callaghan said the IPS, together with An Garda Síochána, “have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year, delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over”, reports Breaking News.
He added: “This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively detecting and disrupting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons, and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons”, reports Breaking News.
O’Callaghan also stated: “The prevention of access to contraband within prisons will always be a high priority for the IPS. IPS staff work tirelessly to take steps to prevent access to contraband and to reduce the flow of illicit substances into our prisons”, reports Breaking News.
He said the IPS “has committed to continuing to invest in new technologies and measures to support efforts to keep contraband out of prisons. This includes security measures such as the installation of nets over exercise yards, vigilant observation of prisoners by staff, enhanced CCTV monitoring, the stricter control of visits, the use of random drug testing and daily targeted searches”, reports Breaking News.
“It is the case that over 70% of people committed to prison have issues with substance abuse. All prisoners on committal are assessed and a treatment plan is agreed for those who wish to address their substance abuse issues while in prison custody”, reports Breaking News.
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