Nearly 900 pints of homemade wine were confiscated in Irish jails last year.

Prisoners make hooch with ingredients including fruit,  ketchup, sugar and bread, sometimes using socks as part of the brewing equipment.

The so called wine is said to be extremely potent but can cause botulism - a disease caused by bacteria produced during the fermentation process.

Figures revealed to The Times show the largest quantity of illegal alcohol was seized in Castlerea Prison in Co Roscommon last year where the equivalent of 226 pints was seized.

200 pints were found at the Midlands prison in Portlaoise and in Cork 160 pints.