A high security Laois prison wing may close as its too costly to upgrade

A wing of Portlaoise Prison which has traditionally held republican prisoners is facing closure. 

The high security E Wing in Portlaoise Prison has been used to house IRA prisoners and paramilitaries from different republican factions over the years has seen a decline in occupancy in recent times. On Monday, December 30,  E Wing, which has a capacity of 75 prisoners, held just five inmates and it is understood no new prisoners are being accepted there. The rest of Portlaoise Prison was operating at 105% capacity. 

The Defence Forces, who had maintained an armed guard at the wing of the prison, withdrew from duties there in October 2024 after 51 years. 

Despite investment in prisons across the country, E Wing remains the only prison accommodation in the State where slopping out remains a practice as there are no in-cell toilet facilities. This means the prisoners have to go to the toilet in containers in their cells which are then emptied when the cells are opened. The cells on E Wing are also smaller than regulation cells. 

The Irish Prison Service has carried out a feasibility study to determine whether or not the wing could be upgraded to a facility with in-cell sanitation and correctly sized cells. While no decision has been taken, a source at the Irish Prison Service said the report concluded “it would cost too much to do it up.” 

As a result it’s understood the E Wing of Portlaoise Prison could be left vacant or demolished in the coming years.  The inmates being held their will be the last prisoners it will accommodate.