Two prisoners in Moutjoy Prison have died in the last 24 hours. The deaths come on the day that the jail was severely criticised in a new report by the Inspector of Prisons.
Details have emerged of the second death involving a 21-year-old man from the south east of the country who was serving a nine-month sentence.
The alarm was raised by the deceased's only cellmate and prison staff administered emergency treatment but he was pronounced dead shortly after 4.25pm at the Mater Hospital.
The prison authorities are awaiting the results of post mortem and toxicology examinations but foul play is not suspected.
Earlier today another inmate had been found hanging in his cell and within weeks of a prisoner who had appealed for protection being murdered. The 38-year-old was found hanging in a single cell early this morning after been moved for his own protection.
Gary Douch, 21, was beaten to death in a communal holding cell in front of other inmates just weeks ago. He had also been moved for his own protection.
"This is another example of the difficulties being experienced in Mountjoy, which have reached a peak in the last few months," said Fine Gael's justice spokesman Jim O'Keefe.
"Whereas the killing of Gary Douch was a direct result of overcrowding, this case seems to point to a gap in the facilities available in the prison.
"It must always be remembered that the State has a duty of care to protect all offenders in its penal institutions."