Chef who killed his partner hung himself in cell

A chef who was convicted of stabbing his partner to death with a steak knife was found hanging in a locked cell in Arbour Hill prison by his shoelaces, an inquest heard tonight.

Brian Daly, 48, from Laytown, Co Meath was discovered suspended from the latch of a window in the prison on August 14, 2004 – after being convicted four months earlier of the manslaughter of Jean Reilly.

The inquest heard the former chef was being given medication for anxiety and depression, and had only been returned to the jail from the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) three days before his death.

Members of Mr Daly’s family – including his wife and son – raised queries over prisoners being allowed to keep their shoelaces.

His wife said she had heard a lot about the dignity of prisoners but raised questions about the safety aspect of prisoners as well.

Karl McEntegert, the acting governor of Arbour Hill at the time, said Mr Daly was one of a number of prisoners under special observation, which meant he was checked every 25 minutes.

Mr McEntegert said prisoners were generally allowed to wear their own footwear, including laces in their runners.

“To the highest level possible we try to ensure the personal dignity and humanity is maintained at all possible,” he said, adding that eating implements including metal or plastic knives were also kept in cells.

“The present supervision system in Arbour Hill works very well,” he said. “I don’t know that any more could possibly be done.”

Mr Daly was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court on April 26, 2004 over the stabbing of Ms Reilly on December 8, 2000.

Counsel for Mr Daly had told the court he was extremely remorseful for his actions.

Prison officer Jim O’Sullivan said there was nothing unusual about Mr Daly’s manner on the morning of his death. The officer said he checked him every 25 minutes – at 11.05am he was seen on his bed but at 11.30am was discovered hanging from the window.

Another prison officer Declan Dunne told how he cut the shoelaces from around Mr Daly’s neck with a knife the prisoner had kept in the cell for eating his meals.

Greta Archibald, a nurse employed by the Irish Prison Service, said she began trying to resuscitate Mr Daly after he was cut down but could find no sign of a pulse.

Sgt Dan Murphy, from the Bridewell Garda Station, said another shoelace tied into a noose had been found in one of Mr Daly’s drawers in his cell.

Ms Archibald also told the inquest she had administered Mr Daly his medication which included an anti-anxiety drug, anti-depressants and cardiac prescriptions, around 8.15am

She said Mr Daly had appeared less anxious than he had prior to being admitted to the Central Mental Hospital.

The nurse said Mr Daly had requested to enter a secure padded cell several times in the weeks before he was admitted to the CMH when he became anxious and wanted to be alone.

Mr McEntegert said a prisoner could request being placed in a padded cell but psychiatric services were immediately notified and it was up to them when he would be allowed return to his normal cell.

The acting prison governor said Mr Daly had been referred to the CMH on three occasions – twice for two-month periods and for a week prior to his death.

The inquest heard Mr Daly, who was separated from his wife, had been committed to the prison on April 26, 2004 but had been remanded there on October 11, 2001.

The pathologist found Mr Daly had died as a result of hanging and noted a wide ligature mark around his neck.

The jury passed a verdict of death by suicide.