The Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT) has expressed "serious concern" over allegations of covert surveillance in Irish prisons.

This includes the use of tracking devices and listening tools in prisons and prisoner transport.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has ordered an 'urgent investigation' into the allegations.

It comes after reports that a serving prison officer claims covert surveillance, including tracking devices on vehicles, is being used in an effort to detect the smuggling of contraband into prisons.

According to the Irish Examiner, the claims are contained in a sworn affidavit given to the justice minister and the prison service this week by a serving officer.

The IPRT is calling on key bodies to work together to conduct a thorough investigation into these allegations.

Expansion of investigation

It says: "IPRT welcomes the minister's announcement that the Inspector of Prisons, Ms Patricia Gilheaney will carry out a preliminary investigation, which will establish whether there is a need for a formal inquiry.

"However, IPRT emphasises that additional resources must be made available to the Office of the Inspector of Prisons to ensure this investigation can be undertaken alongside its regular programme of work.

"IPRT has consistently raised its concerns that the Office is not adequately resourced."

It is also concerned that under the s.31 statutory investigation, Minister Flanagan "will retain the power to omit any matter from any report where he is of opinion that its disclosure may be prejudicial to security, contrary to the public interest, or may infringe the constitutional rights of any person."

It says: "For that reason, IPRT is also calling on the Data Protection Commission and the Complaints Referee under the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 to consider using their powers to work with the Inspector".

"Serious issues" to be addressed

In an earlier statement, Mr Flanagan explained: "While I am constrained in what I can say about proceedings before the courts, and nothing I say should be taken as a comment on these particular proceedings, these allegations raise serious issues which need to be addressed.

 "I have therefore asked the independent Inspector of Prisons, Patricia Gilheaney, to carry out an urgent preliminary investigation into the allegations to determine as far as possible the facts.

"I have also requested a meeting today with the Acting Director of the Irish Prison Service, Don Culliton."

He added that it is a statutory investigation, and all prison governors and staff will be obliged to cooperate.

He said: "Surveillance can be necessary to prevent illegal trafficking of substances into prisons, but this must of course be carried out in accordance with the law.

"It must be stressed that these are allegations, and we must in the first instance determine if they are factual.

"This preliminary investigation will put us in a better position to consider whether further steps need to be taken, such as a more formal inquiry, as has been called for."

Additional reporting: Jack Quann