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More than 2,000 litres of homemade alcohol was seized from prisoners serving time in Irish jails during the past two years.

The potent “hooch” is made by inmates from water, sugar, fruit and bread which is mixed in plastic bottles and left hidden in cells until it ferments.

But 2,000 litres of it was confiscated from prisoners in the State’s 14 detention centres in 2013 and 2014, documents released under the Freedom of Information Acts revealed.

A spokesman for the Irish Prison Service said extensive efforts had been made to reduce the flow of contraband in Irish jails during recent years.

He added: “A range of enhanced measures including the establishment of a dedicated group of staff (the operational support group) was introduced in May 2008 with the aim of reducing the supply of contraband into our prisons.

“This also included the introduction of security screening areas in all closed prisons, the introduction of a canine unit, increased searching of cells and their occupants, and the installation of nets over exercise yards.”

Last year, the largest quantity of hooch was seized at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, where a total of 321 litres was confiscated from prisoners.

Around 162 litres of illegal homebrew was lifted from inmates at Cork Prison, while 105 litres was found at Mountjoy Prison.

No hooch was seized at the Dochas Centre in Dublin , where female offenders are jailed, while 20 litres was confiscated from inmates at Saint Patrick’s Institution, which houses 17-year-old convicts.

In total, almost 900 litres of hooch was seized from prisoners in all institutes last year, down almost 1,160 litres from 2013.

Hooch or “prison wine” can be made from a variety of ingredients.

Socks are often used to separate the pulp from the liquid and the finished product can be extremely potent, depending on the amount of sugar used and the length of time it is left to ferment.

Prison brewing can be dangerous and has been known to cause outbreaks of botulism, a disease caused by a bacteria produced in the fermentation process.

Its symptoms can include muscle weakness, paralysis and even blindness.