7 days ago
Portlaoise Prison subversives order steaks, coffee, and chocolate in special shopping privilege
'COWBOY steaks,' avocados, and sugar-free Monster energy drinks were among the items hand-delivered to subversive prisoners in the country's highest-security jail.
Special arrangements for inmates at Portlaoise Prison allow republicans to order any food or drink they like from local shops, except alcohol.
The Irish Prison Service initially refused access to the records, claiming they could identify the handful of remaining prisoners on the notorious 'E' block.
However, order sheets showed that inmates were often health-conscious, frequently requesting Liberté natural yoghurts, mixed berries, and frozen broccoli.
A popular dish on the subversive menu was Mexican cuisine, with regular orders for fajita kits, peppers, onions, grated cheese, and fresh chillies.
They also requested carefully selected coffee, with one sheet specifying 'Frank & Honest Coffee Beans Only' along with Italian and Colombian beans.
Other items included Amber Leaf tobacco, honey, Lemsip, and a farewell card.
On one occasion, the prisoners requested a birthday cake to celebrate a special event.
They also planned to bake their own cake, ordering self-raising flour, yeast, sugar, and three Terry's Chocolate Oranges.
Another sheet showed they wanted a three-for-€5 deal on Dairy Milk Whole Nut, Caramel, and Dark Milk.
A handwritten note added: 'Any bars will do if some [not available].'
At times, the prisoners splurged, with one order sheet listing 'four fillet or rib-eye steaks.'
On the same day, they also requested frozen onion rings, a box of Magnum ice creams, and a multi-pack of Pepsi.
The Irish Prison Service, for the first time, refused to disclose the records under Freedom of Information laws, arguing that the small number of subversive prisoners could make individuals identifiable.
A summary of their position stated: '[The Irish Prison Service] said the subversive prisoners are high-profile prisoners and their names would be well known to the public.
'It added that these prisoners would be well known to other prisoners and prison officers within both Portlaoise Prison and the wider prison estate.'
However, in an appeal decision, the Information Commissioner disagreed, stating there was no way to connect the information to an individual.
The decision said: 'It would not disclose precisely what items each prisoner ordered. The individual must be identifiable from the information disclosed.'
A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said subversives in Portlaoise had a 'somewhat different regime' to others in the system.
He said: 'The facility to purchase goods over and above what is available in the tuck shop is not a new concession and has been available to subversive prisoners in Portlaoise since 1973.
'It is important to note, additional goods requested by subversive prisoners are paid through their own personal money and not funded by the Irish Prison Service.'
