Man who died by suicide in prison should have been in a residential facility, says family
A Garda and prison service investigation has commenced into the death of Michael Ryan, 26, from Kilmallock who was found dead on Saturday night in his single cell at the prison.
The discovery was made at around 9pm when a prison officer carried out a routine check on him.
Mr Ryan was on his own in the cell at the time of his death. He was serving a three-month sentence for a drunk and disorderly offence.
His uncle, Tom O’Carroll, said yesterday his nephew had problems and spent a time in the residential addiction treatment centre at Bruree House, run by Sr Consilio.
Mr O’Carroll said: “That is where he should have been not in prison.”
Dan Neville TD, president of the Irish Suicidology organisation, said Mr Ryan had served a number of weeks and had difficulties in his life.
He said Mr Ryan became extremely distressed when placed in prison and took his life.
Mr Neville called on Justice Minister Brian Lenihan to investigate the case.
A spokesman for the prison service said an internal inquiry had been launched and will be headed by the prison governor, Tadhg O’Riordan.
The dead man is survived by his parents Michael and Noreen, brother and sisters.
He had been working at Dell. The burial will take place today after midday Mass at St Peter and Paul church, Kilmallock.
