A record of spending also details €125,000 worth of courses in 2024 with training on “judicial frankness,” courtroom control, and “the voice of the child.”

That is one of the findings from the Irish Penal Reform Trust's 2024 progress report.

In an interview with Breaking News.ie, Mark Kelly said that problems are getting steadily worse, and Ireland is following the same pattern of “chronically overcrowded” prisons seen in England and Wales

This is the highest number since the Office of the Inspector of Prisons (OIP) began its investigative role in 2012

The annual report on penal statistics in prisons by the Council of Europe identified Ireland as one of 15 countries in Europe where prisons have more inmates than places available.

All four males have since been released without charge. A file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Officers investigating the smuggling of controlled drugs and contraband into prisons have carried out searches.

Mr O’Callaghan said it was his belief that laws allowing judges to refuse bail where they believe there is a risk that the person would go on to commit another serious offence are being applied.

The call for greater measures to prevent and detect contraband in prisons follows the death of a prisoner a few hours after reports he had consumed drugs and home-made alcohol in Cloverhill Prison in Dublin three years ago

The hearing will take place behind closed doors.