AN INQUEST jury yesterday called on the governor of Mountjoy Prison to reexamine procedures for first time offenders after hearing how a young woman hanged herself in her cell on her first night in jail.
The jury also recommended that suitable measures be taken to prevent inmates having direct access to the prison window bars.
A verdict of death by suicide was recorded in the case of Ms Carol Anne Daly (20), a heroin addict, who was found hanging by a bed sheet just three hours after her arrival at Mountjoy.
Prison officers told the inquest that when she had been checked 15 minutes earlier she had been sitting on her bed reading a magazine. She had been in good form and had not asked the officers for any medical attention. But a friend of the woman said she had telephoned him in a distressed state after arriving at Mountjoy and told him she needed heroin.
Dublin City Coroner's Court heard that Ms Daly, who had changed her name by deed poll to Bedford, was originally from Swords, but was living at St Michan's House, Greek Street. She had been arrested on the evening of May 22nd, 1996, on suspicion of shoplifting from a store in Grafton Street, and taken to Pearse Street Garda station.
Later that evening, she was brought before a night sitting of Dublin District Court and taken to Mountjoy at 10.30 p.m.
Ms Daly was crying on her arrival at the jail and was allowed to make a telephone call, according to prison officer, Mr Patrick Jemson. After making the call and having a cigarette she seemed fine, he said.
Female officers spoke to Ms Daly and explained the rules and procedures of the prison. Ms Daly was checked at 1.05 a.m and at 1.15 am. On the second occasion a prison officer, Ms Valerie Corcoran, asked her if she was all right. She replied: "Yes, I'm fine."
When the same prison officer checked at 1.30 a.m. she saw Ms Daly hanging from a bed sheet tied to the window bars. Attempts by officers to resuscitate her were continued until the ambulance arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital.
A note written by Ms Daly was found lying on a linen basket in the cell, indicating a desire to take her own life.