12/01/2009

Prison Service In The Dock - Again

The NI Prison Service is again in the spotlight as an investigation gets under way today following the sudden death of a man at Magilligan Prison.

Richard Gilmore, 25, is thought to have died during the early hours of Sunday morning at the Co Londonderry facility.

Officials are investigating if dangerous drugs circulating within the confines of the prison, may have been a contributory factor.

The Prisoner Ombudsman - Pauline McCabe - will conduct an inquiry into the man's death.

Last week, Ms McCabe ruled the Governor and Deputy Governor of Maghaberry Prison be subjected to a disciplinary investigation, following the suicide of prisoner, Colin Bell.

See: Prison Suicide Shock As Warders Slept Or Drank Tea

(BMcC/JM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

13 March 2024
Man Jailed For Manslaughter Of David James Conville
A 31-year-old man has been jailed at Belfast Crown Court for the manslaughter of David James Conville in south Belfast in May, 2022. Edward Kelly was sentenced to serve three-and-a-half years, half of his sentence will be served in custody and half will be served on licence, following his guilty plea last November.
27 February 2024
Appeal For Information On Serious Assault In Portadown
The PSNI have issued an appeal for information following a serious assault in Portadown that it being investigated as a 'disability hate crime'. On Saturday, 24 February, at around 5.20pm, police received a report that a young man had been attacked by six teenage boys in the High Street Mall area.
12 February 2024
Man Arrested In Connection With Ballymena Drug Seizure
A man has been arrested and suspected Class A and B drugs worth an estimated £90,000 seized in a Paramilitary Crime Task Force operation in Ballymena on Saturday, 10 February.
12 February 2024
22-Year-Old Man Jailed For Rape At Laganside Crown Court
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to six years for rape at Laganside Crown Court. Ahmad Alsbaihi was sentenced to six years. He will serve three years in custody and three years on licence. He will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register and will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for 10 years.
08 March 2024
NI Prison Service Achieves UK First With Online Booking System
Justice Minister Naomi Long has welcomed the introduction of a new fully online visit booking system. Northern Ireland Prison Service has become the first in the UK to offer the option of online booking an in-person and virtual visits to any prison in NI.