Northern Ireland

Prisoner dies at Magilligan

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

A 27-year-old man has died at Magilligan Prison in Co Derry, the prison service has confirmed. 

The man died on Friday morning and his next of kin have been informed.

The PSNI, the coroner and the Prisoner Ombudsman have opened investigations into the death.

Ronnie Armour, head of the Northern Ireland Prison Service, said: "I would like to extend my sympathy and that of the Northern Ireland Prison Service to the family of the prisoner. My thoughts are with them at this difficult time."

The death is the second to occur at Magilligan this year. In March, prison authorities confirmed a 44-year-old man had died at the jail.

Including the sudden death on Friday, there have been 10 deaths in custody in the prison in as many years. 

While there have been over 40 deaths in custody recorded in Northern Ireland in the last 10 years, the majority, 33, have been in under-pressure Maghaberry Prison in Co Antrim.

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