Gardai investigate death of Mountjoy prisoner

A Garda investigation is underway after a 31-year-old prisoner was found dead in his cell at Mountjoy Jail in Dublin.

The man who was serving a one-year sentence for a number of minor offences was found hanging by fellow inmates shortly after noon.

It's understood that the man, who was from the North Dublin area, was due for release next month.

A spokesperson for the prison service would not comment on reports that the man was a key gangland figure.