Flanagan addresses first prison officer recruits since 2011

Mr Flanagan visited the Irish Prison Service training college in Portlaoise to address 17 recruits, the first of 80 recruit prison officers that will complete their training this year.

Their class is the first to leave the IPS college since October 2011.

He said: “I am delighted to carry out my first official engagement as Minister for Justice and Equality here at the Irish Prison Service Training College in Portlaoise to mark a very special day in the lives of the new recruits and a proud day for their families and loved ones.

“This is also an important day for the Irish Prison Service, now recruiting again after some difficult years during our deep recession.”

Mr Flanagan also viewed the refurbishment work underway at the college and presented medals to a number of prison officers in recognition of their years of dedicated service.

Addressing the new prison officers, he congratulated them and said it was “a hugely important day for you, for your families and for the Irish Prison Service”.

Mr Flanagan also met with the Prison Service director general, Michael Donnellan, and the college governor, David Clarke.