Midlands Prison drone smuggling attempt leads to arrests

Two men have been arrested following a drone incident involving an attempt to smuggle contraband into Midlands Prison. The drone crashed into the roof of the nearby Prison Officers Training College in Portlaoise.

The Laois Fire and Rescue Service recovered the drone, which was carrying contraband. Both the device and the items are undergoing forensic examination. An Garda Síochána are currently detaining the two suspects for questioning.

The Prison Officers Association reported that nearly 400 documented drone deliveries of drugs, weapons, and other prohibited items occurred in Irish prisons last year, noting that many incidents likely go unrecorded. The Irish Prison Service stated it is working with police on the investigation and noted that recent inmate transfers from Dublin to other facilities may have contributed to an increase in drone-related smuggling attempts at locations like Midlands Prison.