Irish police arrest two men following drone delivery attempt at prison

Irish police arrested two men on Tuesday afternoon following an attempted smuggling operation using a drone near prison facilities in Portlaoise. Independent.ie, thejournal.ie, and the Irish Times all reported that police intercepted a drone and seized contraband. The Irish Times reported that officers responded at around 3:00 PM after prison staff were alerted to drone activity. [1][2][3]

According to the Irish Times, the drone crashed into the roof of the nearby Prison Officers Training College before being recovered by the Laois Fire and Rescue Service. Officers subsequently searched the area and arrested two suspects, aged in their 30s and 40s, on the grounds of the nearby Midland Regional Hospital. [2][3]

Independent.ie and thejournal.ie reported that police seized a package containing suspected cannabis, tablets, and mobile phones alongside the drone. The Irish Times noted that the recovered contraband will undergo forensic examination to determine its contents. [1][2][3]

A police spokesman confirmed to thejournal.ie that the two men are currently detained for questioning under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act at a station in the Eastern Region, and investigations into the incident are ongoing. [2]

Portlaoise Prison is a maximum security facility located in Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland. It sits directly beside the Midlands Prison, which is a newer medium security facility. [8]