This paper has learned that a senior prison officer and another member of staff were on a jet ski at Lough Macnean when it collided with a pier on the grounds of Loughan House, Co Cavan last week.
Loughan House, Open Prison
Two prison officers were lucky not to be injured after accidentally crashing a jet ski on the grounds of an open prison.
This paper has learned that a senior prison officer and another member of staff were on a jet ski at Lough Macnean when it collided with a pier on the grounds of Loughan House, Co Cavan last week.
The shocking collision occurred in broad daylight – and in front of stunned prisoners who were understood to be by the lake at the time.
One of the officers is understood to have previously had a career in the sporting world, and is well regarded, while the other is a long serving and respected member of staff in his own right.
Sources say the two officers were riding the jet ski during their break when they came close to the banks by the grounds of the prison.
The Irish Prison Service are understood to be looking into the allegation that the officers were trying to splash the prisoners by the shore when the crash happened in a prank gone wrong
“They’re very lucky not to have been seriously hurt or worse,” a source said. “Nobody can quite believe it. It was a very embarrassing event.”
Loughan House
This paper understands that following this incident the Irish Prison Service is now looking into the background of exactly what occurred. There is concern about how the officers came within contact of the grounds of the prison – and the damage that may have been done.The jet ski – understood to be privately owned – was seriously damaged in the incident, sources say. No one is facing any disciplinary action over the incident, sources added – and the incident is still being looked into.
Last night a spokesperson for the Irish Prison Service declined to comment on the incident. “The Irish Prison Service does not comment on matters relating to individual staff members,” the spokesperson said.
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Loughan House is a low security open prison located close to the border in Blacklion, Co Cavan. It is home to over 140 prisoners, many of whom are coming towards the end of their sentence, or are long serving life sentence prisoners.
It caters to male inmates only and is a mix of single and shared rooms on a scenic piece of land next to the lough. Prisoners are able to avail of computer facilities, a gym and a volleyball alley.It has over the years been home to many high profile prisoners – such as IRA chief Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy, and former Anglo-Irish Bank chief David Drumm. It is also one of only two such prisons in the country – the other being Shelton Abbey in Wicklow.
Thomas ‘Slab’ Murphy (Image: Collins Courts)
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