The largest prison in the country is dealing with an outbreak of coronavirus.

The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that five prisoners have tested positive for the virus at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise.

It said the patients have all been isolated in line with infection control procedures and contact tracing is now underway.

It said an Outbreak Control Team has already put a response plan in place and mass-testing is now underway.

The positive cases all relate to one area of the prison and all prisoners and staff in the section have been tested.

The Irish Prison Service has won international praise for its success in controlling the virus since the pandemic began and before today, only five other prisoners had tested positive around the country.

There are more than 800 prisoners accommodated at the Midlands.