Claims that prison officers are stealing materials to sell on the internet and using other prison items to renovate their homes are being sent to the Garda Commissioner by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry made the explosive allegations after being contacted by a number of prison staff. Was this person allowed to resign?” asked Mr MacSharry, before reading out a series of questions on which the Fianna Fáil TD said he has sought private legal advice. In addition, prison officer sources told this newspaper last night that a circular was sent to all prisons during the past week ordering officers to no longer buy anything from prison tuck-shops. However, despite the allegations, a number of PAC members declined to support Mr MacSharry’s claims, including Sinn Féin TD Jonathan O’Brien who told the committee he is “uncomfortable” with the line of questioning.

Source: Irish Examiner April 05, 2019 04:52 UTC