IPRT in the News
As part of the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) Strategic Plan 2023-2026, one of our main goals is to campaign for a progressive criminal justice system that upholds human rights. Engagement with the media plays a large part in that as we discuss our evidence-based research, advocate for people in prison, and work to change attitudes and challenge misconceptions about people in the criminal justice system.
Below you will see a list of most of IPRT's media features including recordings of radio discussions, links to TV appearances, and access to written articles and opinion pieces. You can also listen back to long-form recorded discussions with podcast hosts on our Podcast webpage.
Reports into deaths in custody ‘highlight serious systemic failures', says Irish Penal Reform Trust - Irish Independent
20th February 2026
In this article, the Irish Penal Reform Trust criticised the delayed release of the Death in Custody report into Ivan Rosney’s death at Cloverhill Prison, which came only after an RTÉ documentary. IPRT highlighted that systemic failures in mental health and prison services contributed to his death and stressed that families should not have to wait years for answers. IPRT Executive Director Saoirse Brady called the report “distressing” and emphasised the urgent need for accountability and reform.
Psychiatric care and prisons - Why is the State relying on prisons to fill the gaps in a broken system - The Journal.ie
13th February 2026
IPRT Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, wrote an op-ed following the RTÉ Investigates documentary on psychiatric care. She highlights how failures in Ireland’s mental health system are resulting in people in crisis being placed in prisons rather than receiving appropriate care. The piece outlines the human impact on individuals and families, as well as the State’s obligations under human rights frameworks. It calls for urgent investment in mental health services and an end to the use of prisons as a substitute for healthcare.
Inspector of Prisons has 'deep reservations' about injuries to mentally ill inmate who died - The Journal.ie
13th February 2026
Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director Saoirse Brady has criticised delays and a lack of accountability following a the publication of a Death in Custody report into the death of Ivan Rosney at Cloverhill Prison in 2020. The article highlights serious concerns over the treatment of mentally ill prisoners in Ireland following the death of Ivan Rosney at Cloverhill Prison in 2020. It quotes the Irish Penal Reform Trust warning that delays in investigating and reporting the case have been “extensive” and describing the report as “distressing to read”, pointing to systemic failures both inside prisons and in community mental health services. IPRT calls on the Irish Prison Service to implement the Office of the Inspector of Prisons’ recommendations without delay, including reforms to restraint procedures, better involvement of healthcare staff, and upgrades to prison surveillance.
Concerns over restraint of patient who died at Cloverhill - RTE News
13th February 2026
In this article, IPRT criticised the delayed release of the Death in Custody report into Ivan Rosney’s death at Cloverhill Prison, which came only after an RTÉ documentary. IPRT highlighted that systemic failures in mental health and prison services contributed to his death and stressed that families should not have to wait years for answers. IPRT Executive Director Saoirse Brady called the report “distressing” and emphasised the urgent need for accountability and reform.
RTÉ Investigates: The Psychiatric Care Scandal
9th February 2026
IPRT's Executive Director, Saoirse Brady, contributed to Conor Ryan’s excellent RTE Investigates documentary shown over two nights on 9 and 10 February, which exposed the failures of Ireland’s mental health system. The programme highlights how people in urgent need of psychiatric care are often placed in prison cells rather than receiving hospital or community-based support.
Government Action Urged On Prison Conditions - Midlands 103 FM
19th January 2026
IPRT’s Legal and Public Affairs Manager, Niamh McCormack,speaking on the publication of prison inspection reports, highlighting poor prison conditions, ongoing overcrowding, and the urgent need to reduce reliance on remand detention.
News at One coverage of Prison inspection reports - RTE Radio One
16th January 2026
IPRT’s Legal and Public Affairs Manager, Niamh McCormack, spoke on News at One as part of a discussion on the prison inspection reports published the previous day.
Cork Prison is the second most overcrowded prison in Ireland - Red FM
16th January 2026
IPRT’s Legal and Public Affairs Manager, Niamh McCormack, spoke to Red FM highlighting issues that the inspection report drew attention to in the context of overcrowding crisis and Cork prison. Her...
Prisoner numbers on course to reach 'unimaginable' level - The Irish Examiner
6th January 2026
This article highlights a deepening overcrowding crisis in Irish prisons, with numbers approaching 6,000—well above official capacity. It quotes the Irish Penal Reform Trust warning that the Irish Prison Service is “fighting a losing battle” and that the system is “at breaking point”, while calling for a cross-government response and greater investment in community-based alternatives to custody.
Electronic tags for released prisoners to be trialled - Live 95 (Limerick)
6th January 2026
Saoirse Brady joined Joe Nash on Live95’s Limerick Today to discuss the trialling of electronic tagging and IPRT’s concerns about the monitoring of people who have been convicted of a crime or who are awaiting trial.
