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Police to investigate sudden prison death

Magilligan Prison in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin
Magilligan Prison in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin Magilligan Prison in Derry. Picture by Margaret McLaughlin

INVESTIGATIONS have been launched after Northern Ireland Prison Service confirmed the death of a man in Magilligan prison in Co Derry.

The Prison Service said the 44-year-old's next of kin has been informed about the death that happened in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The PSNI, Coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have all launched investigations into the death.

While there have been over 40 deaths in custody recorded in Northern Ireland in the last ten year the majority, 32, have been in under pressure Maghaberry prison in Co Antrim.

Including the sudden death at the weekend there have been nine deaths in custody in Magilligan over the last ten years.

Magilligan is a medium security prison and holds inmates serving short jail terms or those coming to the end of their sentence.

The Head of the Prison Service Ronnie Armour said: "I would like to extend my sympathy and that of the Northern Ireland Prison Service to the family of the prisoner who has died in Magilligan.

"My thoughts are with them at this difficult time."