An investigation is under way into an arson attack on the home of a prison officer in Co Meath last night.
The officer is involved in an operational and intelligence unit, which targets organised crime in the prisons.
A window was broken in his home and flammable liquid or a petrol bomb was thrown in.
The man was at home with his wife at the time, however no injuries were reported.
Gardaí suspect the arson attack could be connected to the man's work in the prisons.
A major figure in an organised crime gang which trafficks drugs and contraband behind bars was recently discovered with drugs and a phone and transferred to a different prison unit.
The Prison Officers' Association (POA) has condemned the attack, which it has described as "cowardly", "extremely sinister in nature" and which "could have led to loss of life".
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said it was "a reckless and unacceptable act of violence that could have had very tragic consequences".
"Nobody's home should ever be targeted in this, or in any other way," she said in a statement.
"Last year I increased from seven to 12 years the maximum prison sentence for assaulting or threatening a peace officer, which includes prison officers or members of An Garda Síochána, and under the Criminal Damage Act 1991, the offence of arson can carry a sentence of up to life in prison."
POA Deputy General Secretary Gabriel Keaveny said he has "no doubt that this horrific attack" is "related to the prison officer's work".
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He called 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, and that the Government has a responsibility for the safety and security to its employees.
"We have to be assured that when we go into work we can return safety home to our families, they have to out in whatever measures necessary to ensure the safety of prison officers going about their job," he told RTÉ's News at One.
The Prison Officers' Association has also sought an urgent meeting with the Director of the Prison Service to discuss this and similar attacks on prison officers' homes in the past.
The Prison Service has issued a statement saying any act of violence against a prison officer is "unacceptable".
The statement also said that staff who are subject to an assault or threat are "given the necessary supports through the employee assistance programme".
