Almost 6,500 pints of homemade alcohol - produced by inmates using water, sugar, fruit and bread - have been seized over the past four years, with nearly 875 pints confiscated last year.

Nearly a quarter of last year’s haul came from Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon, where 226 pints were confiscated.

A total of 200 pints was seized at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, 160 pints at Cork Prison, and 116 pints at Portlaoise Prison.