The Rolestown St Margaret's Action Group in north Co Dublin, which is campaigning against the proposed replacement prison for Mountjoy at Thornton Hall, has called for an independent public inquiry into the project.
The group made its demand following an RTÉ Prime Time programme on Tuesday evening, which examined Comptroller and Auditor General John Purcell's critical report on the Government's acquisition of the 150-acre farm for €30 million.
Teresa McDonnell, spokeswoman for the group, said it was clear from Mr Purcell's report that the site was unsuitable, that it did not meet the criteria set down by the evaluating committee and that it was "rushed through at the last minute".
The group is calling on the Government to establish a full independent public inquiry to investigate all aspects of the purchase of Thornton Hall before any further commitment is made on a public-private partnership for the prison project.
Referring to the "hugely inflated" price paid for the site, Ms McDonnell said: "If this is not independently investigated, it will come back to haunt the Government politicians who turn a blind eye.
"It will be the subject of a tribunal in years to come."
