A leading addiction specialist says it is 'unfortunate' that so many people in Irish jails were seeking support for drug addiction last year.

825 inmates were on a waiting list for prison-based addiction counselling services.

The Midlands Prison had 103 inmates on its waiting list, while Castlerea had 78.

Dr Garrett McGovern, Medical Director at the Priority Medical Clinic in Dundrum, says demand for the service is very high.