Any "Fianna Fáil land speculator" eyeing up the Shanganagh open prison with a view to making a "big killing" on its sale, should think again, the Dáil was told.

Labour's environment spokesman Mr Eamon Gilmore, in whose Dún Laoghaire constituency the open prison for young offenders is located, vehemently opposed the planned sale of the prison by the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell.

Mr Gilmore warned there would be enormous local resistance to the lands being developed even if the prison, on 24 acres, was put up for sale.

He also stressed that no young offender had committed suicide or seriously harmed themselves since Shanganagh opened in 1969 and no other prison facility could say that. He accused Mr McDowell of deliberately running down Shanganagh open prison for young offenders, an allegation rejected by the Department.

Mr Noel Ahern, Minister of State, speaking for the Minister, said Mr McDowell rejected the allegation that the prison, which has accommodation for 60 offenders aged 16 to 21, was being deliberately under-used.