Pat Ryan, an All-Ireland winning hurler who was convicted of perjury, was allegedly involved in a security breach at Limerick Prison last month.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has asked the Irish Prison Service to produce a report into the allegations outlined in a letter from Independent TD Mattie McGrath.

In October 2020, Mr Ryan was accused of speeding and was subsequently handed a two-week jail sentence in March of this year for perjury committed during criminal proceedings.

The hurler claimed in Limerick District Court he had not received a summons for a speeding offence. ​

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Deputy McGrath said on May 22nd, the three-time All-Ireland winner drove into a secure area of Limerick Prison car park.

The car park is not for public use, and can only be accessed by way of a prison staff ID card or if it is opened by a member of staff inside the prison.

"He was taken by a private vehicle driven by a prison officer down the road to the court, and breached security there also," he said.

"He was taken into a private area only accessible to prison officers and court staff and judges and Gardaí.

"He was taken to the holding cell area and to the courtroom from the car, and indeed back out again the same way."

It is believed Mr Ryan carried out this transfer order to avoid the waiting media at the front of the courthouse.

Whistleblower

Deputy McGrath said a number of whistleblowers contacted him about the security breach, which he then detailed in a letter to Simon Harris, who stood in for Justice Minister McEntee while she was on maternity leave.

"It's a breach of security – any person has to go into court by the front door and meet the media, meet the public," he said.

"You enter through the front doors and main exits and you exit the same way after your court hearing."

CCTV

Deputy McGrath said "time is of the essence" in this case, as CCTV footage in the prison can be erased every month.

"Justice Minister McEntee is saying she only received it late last week – what is the delay?" he said.

"This is not the first time I've had allegations of incidences in Limerick Prison where CCTV wasn't available which was required for inquiries or litigation.

"All is not well in Limerick Prison."

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Main image shows a split of Pat Ryan (Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile) and Limerick Prison (Image: Irish Prison Service)