A prisoner in Cork Prison, who was serving a two-year sentence and who was due to be released next year, was found hanging in his cell yesterday.
It is understood the prisoner had acute alcoholic problems and a psychiatric condition. He was in a special observation ward and had been checked at 6.30 p.m. on Thursday. When the prison officer next checked him, he was found hanging from a makeshift rope made from bed clothes at 6.45 p.m.
This was only the second suicide at Cork Prison in 20 years. The prison is one of the best in terms of prisoners' safety in the State. The Department of Justice has ordered an inquiry.