Using the former Cork prison as an extension to the current facility is “at a very early planning stage”, according to the justice minister. Irish Prison Service figures show 416 inmates were in that prison on Thursday, of which 105 were on mattresses. The entire prison service was operating at 24% above capacity, with 5,850 inmates in total. Responding to Fine Gael Cork North Central TD, Colm Burke, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said plans to deliver 1,500 new prison spaces over the next five years included “a large extension to the existing Cork Prison on the site of the old decommissioned Cork prison”. He claimed it “will not be a second prison in The Glen area” but said "there will be more engagement as part of the planning process" as it progresses.

Source: Irish Examiner March 06, 2026 10:00 UTC