Man dies after prison collapse

A prisoner serving a nine-month sentence for larceny and assault died today after being found unconscious in his cell at Limerick jail.

The 32-year-old man, who came from Limerick, was discovered in the early hours and efforts to revive him by prison staff and a doctor were unsuccessful.

An investigation into the incident was under way, and a post-mortem examination was being carried out, prison officials said. The cause of death was not immediately clear.

The dead man was understood to have returned to the jail yesterday after a short period of temporary release.