Over 20 prisoners at Wheatfield Prison in Dublin are to face disciplinary action following an incident involving the crash landing of a remote-controlled helicopter carrying drugs in the grounds of the facility.

It is understood the prisoners were awaiting the drugs in a yard when the small helicopter carrying the drugs crash-landed.

An inmate was intercepted after he was seen hiding a quantity of the substance on his person. He is now being held at a secure location on-site until he produces the drugs.

The device has been handed over to officers at Ronanstown garda station in Clondalkin and the incident will be investigated by gardai and the Irish Prison Service.