‘Incredibly dangerous’ inmate targets two staff with shiv at Mountjoy prison

A CRAZED inmate brandished a shiv as he attacked staff in Dublin’s Mountjoy Prison today, we can reveal.

Thug Jonathan Donovan, 38, targeted the two staff members on the B base of the jail in a terrifying incident.

The Irish Sun understands he produced a shiv and attacked them both but did not make contact with the weapon.

One officer was struck a number of times with punches by the inmate and suffered injuries in the attack.

The second staff member is understood not to have been injured in the incident.

Staff intervened in the attack before the control and restraint team were quickly deployed.

A source said: “This inmate is an incredibly dangerous character who has a propensity for violence.

“He produced a shiv from his trousers and began attacking the two staff members.

“The blade did not make contact with either of them but one officer did suffer a number of blows.

“Thankfully staff members intervened but it is a shocking incident which highlights the risks and dangers that prison staff face as they deal with very dangerous individuals.”

Prisoner to be moved

The Irish Sun has also learned that moves are already underway to house Donovan in a different prison.

Bosses are looking to house him in more secure surroundings following the incident.

Donovan is serving a four-year sentence for a savage attack which saw his victim left with a 15cm wound from his ear to his cheek in a slashing.

The horror incident happened on Gardiner Street in Dublin city centre on February 13, 2022.

Previous attacks

The criminal, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last year.

The victim of his horrendous attack also suffered cuts to his chest resulting in internal bleeding which nearly caused his death.

He had been admitted to a psychiatric ward at the time of Donovan’s sentencing.

In 2014, he left a man in a wheelchair after attacking him with an axe when he was on drugs.

Jailed for assaults

Donovan has 90 previous convictions which include one for assault causing serious harm and four other convictions for assault causing harm.

Donovan also has raps for assaulting a peace officer, criminal damage and carrying a firearm.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service says it does not comment on individual prisoner cases or security and operational matters.