Gardaí are investigating after a prison officer was attacked and seriously injured at Mountjoy Prison in Dublin.
The prison officer was stabbed in the face by an inmate just after 10am on Monday.
The male prisoner, who is serving a life sentence for murder, was being escorted in a prison van from Mountjoy to a medical appointment in the Smithfield area of the city.
The inmate produced a shiv and attacked one of the escorting officers.
He was left with serious facial injuries and is being treated in hospital.
He is said to be in a stable condition.
Authorities are treating the incident as an attempted escape and suspect the attack was pre-planned.
It is believed the prisoner was searched and all security protocols were followed; but the weapon did not register on a metal detector because it was wood or plastic.
The Irish Prison Service said Gardaí have been informed and they are now investigating.
In a statement, the Prison Officers Association said: "We can confirm that a prison officer was assaulted and injured while on duty in Mountjoy Prison today.
"It would not be appropriate to comment on the detail, as this matter is under investigation by the Gardaí.
"This incident again highlights the risks, challenges and dangers faced by prison officers as they carry out their duties on behalf of the state. These challenges are faced daily by prison officers and indeed their families".
According to the latest figures, assaults on prison officers increased by 46% between 2021 and 2022.
