Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 529: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to prevent drugs from being thrown into the exercise yard at Mountjoy Prison, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11027/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are 3 main exercise yards at Mountjoy Prison and one smaller exercise yard attached to the Medical Unit. From October 2006 netting has been placed around the exercise yards which have an external boundary with Glengarriff Parade. This netting is approximately 20 foot in height and is placed over the exterior walls which stand at 20 foot in height giving a total height of wall and netting of approximately 40 feet. Since the start of January 2009, 32 packets containing drugs and 8 mobile phones have been prevented from entering the prison by the netting. In addition, Prison Officers are detailed to patrol the external perimeter of this wall on a daily basis. Mountjoy Prison also maintain close links with local Gardaí in relation to this issue and Gardaí regularly patrol the area.