New Defence Forces building at Portlaoise Prison completed less than a year before army withdrew

Although a new Defence Forces building was constructed for soldiers beside Portlaoise Prison less than a year ago, the Defence Forces are reportedly ceasing duties at the prison. 

The new Defence Forces building was constructed on the grounds of the adjacent Midlands Prison despite a 2022 report on the Commission of the Defence Forces recommending the phasing out of the Defence Forces presence at Portlaoise Prison. The army has carried out duties at the prison for the past 51 years, primarily to guard republican prisoners but only a handful of dissidents are now held at the prison. 

Soldiers who were carrying out duties at the prison had been based at Portlaoise Garda Station which is undergoing a major redevelopment and upgrade. 

Only last month, Laois Fine Gael TD Charlie Flanagan questioned the cost of the new Defence Forces building and fitout at the prison in a parliamentary question. 

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On September 18 last,  Dep  Flanagan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform “to outline all costs, including planning, preparation, consultants, construction and fit out, relating to a newly constructed building within the precinct of Portlaoise and Midlands prison campus (supplied supplied); and if the Minister with responsibility for the Office of Public Works; and if he will make a statement on the matter.” 

He was informed that the OPW would respond to his query directly. 

In May last year, the Leinster Express asked the OPW about the facility being constructed beside Portlaoise Prison for the Defence Forces.   

“Works have commenced on the building of a new Defence Forces Facility at the Midlands Prison to replace the existing building occupied by the Defence Forces at the rear of the current Garda station, which will be demolished during the refurbishment of the Garda station,” the OPW explained. 

“Flynn Construction Ltd. has been appointed as the main contractor on this project to carry out these works at the Midlands Prison. Work commenced on site on 8th May 2023 and the construction of the new facility is expected to be completed in early Q1 2024,” the OPW stated. 

When queried on the cost of the building last year, the OPW said: “As the contractor has now commenced on site, it is not possible to give a budget figure due to commercial sensitivity until after the conclusion of the works and a final account is signed off.”