A five-hour long hostage situation in an Irish prison ended after weapons were exchanged for a bar of Mars chocolate.

The incident occurred at around 3.30pm at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise when two prisoners — one armed with a weapon — took another inmate hostage.

It is understood that they then barricaded themselves into a cell and a five-hour stand off commenced.

A fourth prisoner who wasn’t involved was present in the cell at the time.

Specialist officers were called in along with trained negotiators during the terrifying situation.

One of the hostage-takers then agreed to open his cell door and exchange his weapon for a Mars bar.

The attackers were then detained by prison officers.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service has said that staff remained uninjured and prisoners involved only sustained minor injuries.

‘Staff responses and the incident was successfully resolved. No staff were injured, prisoners involved received only minor injuries,’ he said.

‘The Director General has commended all staff involved in ensuring that this incident was successfully resolved.’

The spokesman went onto say that an investigation into the incident by the Senior Management in the Midlands Prison has now commenced.

An Garda Siochana has been notified of the situation.