Sameer Syed, a 39-year-old man from Grosvenor Lodge, Rathmines, Dublin 6, accused of the murder of his wife and two kids, committed suicide in Midlands Prison a few days prior to his trial, as reported by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons on 9th June 2022. The office underscores the importance of diligence by prison staff to discover non-typical items in cells that might be used for self-infliction.
The impending trial was concerned with Syed’s alleged murders of his wife, Seema Banu (37), and their two children, Asfira Riza (11) and Faizan Syed (6) at their Llewellyn Court, Rathfarnham residence, set to commence six days following his death. Neighbours, not having seen the family for several days, alerted the gardaí, leading to the discovery of their bodies.
Investigations surrounding Syed’s death revealed he showed no signs of self-harm, according to an independent psychologist who interviewed him on the day of his death. Following the consultation, Syed went back to his quarters, picked up a meal, and returned to the cell he shared with another inmate.
This other prisoner was out in the yard when Syed was locked in the cell. Approximately an hour later, on his return, he discovered Syed, prompting him to alert the prison officers. Despite the officers’ feverish attempts to resuscitate Syed, employing a defibrillator and performing CPR, he was declared deceased by a doctor in under an hour.
Syed’s cellmate described him as a relaxed individual in a subsequent interview with the inspector, claiming they spent pre-death hours watching television. He mentioned that Syed was cheerful, frequently joking about the television shows they watched.
The report also emphasised the importance of detecting and confiscating potential instruments of self-harm, as used by Syed. It recommended prison staff record such confiscations clearly, noting the inmate’s name and cell location. In contrast to this narrative, Syed’s father, as told by a lawyer, didn’t believe his son capable of self-destruction.