A man in his 30s is currently under arrest, suspected of murder, after a prisoner died at Cloverhill Prison. The deceased, a man in his 40s from Dublin, reportedly met a violent end early in the morning. The death, thought to have occurred around 5:30am, is under investigation by the Gardaí stationed in Ronanstown.
The prison authorities swiftly notified the police and emergency services following a conflict that led to this death. In spite of emergency treatment, the man was declared deceased after a short period. Another man, believed to hail from Laois, was also harmed in the incident, however his injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.
The decedent was on remand at the prison, in connection with charges of alleged drug and firearms offences, after his arrest earlier in the year. It’s understood that a third man was present in the cell at the time of the incident, although he managed to avoid injury.
An official statement from the garda headquarters reveals a man, in his 30s, has been arrested under suspicion of murder. He is currently being held under the conditions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a West Dublin Garda station.
The scene of the incident has been secured by police and prison staff for a comprehensive forensic and technical examination. In addition to notifying the coroner’s office, the services of the State Pathologist and Garda Technical Bureau have been sought.
The Garda Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) has been assigned to spearhead the investigation and a Family Liaison Officer (FLO) will assist the family of the deceased. According to a statement from the garda headquarters, the investigation continues and further updates can be expected.
While the Gardaí continue their work, the Office of the Inspector of Prison, which operates independently as a legal establishment, will also be involved.