Bishop Martin Hayes calls for prisoner rights and more prison space in Ireland

Bishop Martin Hayes, the Bishop of Kilmore and liaison to the Irish Prison Service, has issued a call for the respect of basic human rights for prisoners in the Republic of Ireland. Marking Prisoners’ Sunday, Hayes highlighted severe overcrowding within the prison system.

According to data from July 9, 2026, approximately 520 prisoners—nearly a tenth of the total prison population—were sleeping on mattresses on the floor in overcrowded cells located next to unpartitioned toilets.

Bishop Hayes emphasized that adequate space is a prerequisite for successful rehabilitation. He urged for the development of more prison capacity and the creation of alternative forms of rehabilitation to address the current shortage of accommodation.