Sudden prison death of dissident republican sparks garda probe

A GARDA investigation has been launched following the sudden death of a dissident republican inside Portlaoise Prison.

John O’Halloran, 35, and from Limerick, was found dead in his cell on the E4 landing of the prison, which houses members of the Continuity IRA.

He was serving a five-year sentence for firearms offences after being convicted earlier this year of taking part in a firearms training camp in August 2003. He was due for release in 2008.