An inmate has tested positive for coronavirus at Limerick Prison.

The Irish Prison Service (IPS) said the man has been isolated and all other inmates and staff at the complex are now being tested.

He has been in prison for at least a month - meaning he could not have brought the virus in from outside.

It comes as the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise responds to an outbreak that has seen five prisoners test positive alongside a number of staff.

More than 40 staff at the prison are self-isolating as a result of the outbreak.

The IPS has won international praise for its success in controlling the virus since the pandemic began and the prisoner in Limerick is the 11th to test positive in Ireland.

In a statement, the IPS said an Outbreak Control Team meeting has taken place and HSE public health officials are on-site.

"The positive case relates to the D Division of the prison and arrangements have been made for all prisoners accommodated in this area to be tested," it said.

"All other prisoners and staff in Limerick Prison are being tested as a precaution."

There are 206 men and 31 women imprisoned at the Limerick facility.

With reporting from Eoghan Murphy