Gardai are investigating an allegation that a prisoner was raped in his cell by another inmate at Arbour Hill Prison in Dublin this week. A spokesman for the Department of Justice confirmed last night that the allegation was being investigated by the Garda.
A separate allegation that another prisoner was raped by an inmate at the jail last February is also being investigated by the Garda.
Detectives were called to Arbour Hill Prison yesterday morning after a prisoner alleged he was raped in the cell he was sharing with a man who had been recently transferred from another prison. He said the attack had taken place on Tuesday night.
The alleged victim is in his 40s and is serving a sentence for sexual assault. The prisoner who he claims assaulted him was also convicted on sexual assault charges.
The attack is said to have happened during the night.
The allegation of rape in February was made only recently. Gardai are investigating the separate incidents, and files are expected to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Last week a prisoner serving 20 years for rape and attempted murder apologised in court to a fellow sex offender whom he had raped in the same prison.
It was the first case of prison rape to be successfully prosecuted in the Irish courts.
Anthony Cawley (31), originally from Dun Laoghaire, pleaded guilty to raping a remand prisoner.
The case has been adjourned to investigate counselling for the defendant.