The home of a prison officer has been the target of a firebomb attack late last night.
Gardaí are investigating the attack in Co Meath in which a window was broken in the house and a petrol bomb thrown into a downstairs room.
The scene has been sealed off for a technical examination.
The prison officer and his wife were believed to have been in the house at the time but there were no reports of injuries.
The Prison Officers Association has condemned the attack.
“We wish to utterly condemn the cowardly arson attack on a prison officer’s home during the night. This attack was extremely sinister in nature and could have led to loss of life,” said Gabriel Keaveny, deputy general secretary of the Prison Officers Association.
“We have no doubt that this horrific attack related to the prison officer’s work. We now call on the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that prison officers and their families are safe in their own homes. The government has a responsibility for the safety and security to its employees.”
The Prison Officers Association has also sought an urgent meeting with the director of the Prison Service to discuss this most recent attack.
It said there have been similar instances of attacks on prison officers’ homes in the past, which are a shocking ordeal for prison officers and their families.
“It is now important that the perpetrators of this cowardly and frightening attack are brought to justice,” Mr Keaveny said.
“We will be offering continued support to the prison officer involved and his family as they deal with this shocking ordeal.”
The Irish Prison Service issued a statement that said “any act of violence against a prison officer is unacceptable.”
“Any criminal act carried out within our prisons, including assaults or threats on a staff member, are reported to An Gardaí Síochána for investigation and prosecution,” it said.
“Staff who are subject to an assault or threat in our prisons are given the necessary supports through the employee assistance programme.”
It also pointed out that specific laws exist in relation to assaults against prison officers which can lead to a maximum 12-year sentence.