A BITTER ROW is brewing between gardaí and prison officers over proposed industrial action at Mountjoy prison.

Last week, prison officers at the country's biggest jail were given ballot papers asking them if they would support a strike.

They will have two weeks to vote and sources say it is expected the prison staff will support strike action.

The Prison Officers Association (POA) has unanimously agreed to ballot for industrial action, up to and including striking, unless their concerns relating to staffing levels at the prison's separation unit are addressed.

Only inmates on protection are supposed to be housed at the separation unit, which has a reduced staff.

Three weeks ago, a prison officer at the unit was slashed across the face by an inmate. The week after, one of the country's most violent inmates, Leroy Dumbrell, was transferred to the unit, sparking wildcat strike action by staff.

If Mountjoy officers opt for an all-out strike, it will be the responsibility of gardaí to take control of security in the prison.

The last time gardaí had to be dispatched to Irish prisons was in 1988, when prison officers walked out.

Sources say gardaí are "not unhappy" at the prospect of having to cover security at Mountjoy should prison officers opt for an all-out strike, because of the amount of potential overtime to be earned.

Gardaí will only be deployed to Mountjoy if prison staff implement an all-out strike.

In the early stages of the proposed strike, officers will strike for short periods of time and absences will be covered by other prison staff.

Officers will not be paid if they go on strike.

"The relationship between ourselves and the gardaí could be damaged by this, especially if there is a sense that they are looking forward to a strike because they can earn more money," said a prison source.

"We generally have a very good relationship with gardaí – we both have the same clients after all. We work with them on the Frontline alliance. As we all know, gardaí aren't allowed to strike.

"Unlike ourselves, they cannot be involved in the Ictu talks. But we have kept them fully informed of developments. That might all change if they seem to be relishing the prospect of earning overtime over a strike that may happen at Mountjoy."

It is hoped that the issues between the POA and the prison service are resolved before serious strike action is taken, added the source.

"It will cost them a lot more to pay gardaí to come in and do our job than to resolve it. It would take 10 gardaí to do the job of one prison officer. The only people who can run Mountjoy are the prison officers," he added.