Mass suspected overdose incident in Portlaoise Prison in Ireland

Nine prisoners, including at least one who is in a critical condition, have been rushed to hospital after suspected overdoses at Portlaoise Prison.

The incidents happened this afternoon on the C wing in the midlands prison, which houses a number of convicted killers and gangland criminals.

Six inmates were initially brought to hospital while a further three were hospitalised later this afternoon.

Prison sources say that illicit drugs have been “retrieved” from C wing and have been sent for testing.