More effective measures to prevent violence against prison officers have been called for following a brutal attack yesterday at Cork Prison which resulted in six officers being taken to hospital for treatment.
Five male officers and one female officer were taken to the Mercy and Cork University Hospitals for treatment for injuries sustained during a riot which broke out at the prison at about midday.
The female officer sustained a broken arm.
One of her colleagues, who was headbutted, had to have a head wound stitched. She also required a brain scan.
Another male prison officer will require dental treatment as a result of his injuries.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA) expressed extreme concern about the incident.
It claimed the fact that Cork Prison had almost twice the recommended level of inmates contributed to the incident.
Sources said the riot broke out after a prisoner serving a sentence for armed robbery was spotted on the wrong landing after returning from the recreation yard.
He was approached by a male officer, who asked him to return to his own zone. However, the prisoner refused.
He then headbutted the prison officer, knocking him unconscious.
A female officer who went to her colleague's assistance had her arm broken and four other officers were attacked by the prisoner, sources said.
A number of other prisoners then became involved in the fracas.
Gardaí at Mayfield are investigating the incident.
It is understood that disciplinary action is to be taken against the prisoners involved.
POA deputy general secretary Eugene Dennehy said the association had been calling for some years for greater recognition of the risks faced by prison officers.
"Our warnings on this matter have largely been ignored," he said.
"Very shortly we will have a new minister for justice, and the POA will be seeking to meet this minister as a matter of urgency to discuss attacks on prison officers - and how more effective prevention measures can be introduced.
"Society is becoming more violent and so are our prisons - and we need to face this reality and take the necessary steps to minimise the threat of violence confronting our members on a daily basis," said Mr Dennehy.
"We have also sought an urgent meeting today with the Prison Service to discuss this matter."
