Inmate dies in Mountjoy cell stabbing

An 21-year-old inmate has died after he was attacked in his cell in Mountjoy Prison overnight.

The man, believed to be from north Dublin and serving a three-year sentence, had been placed in protective custody with a number of other prisoners at his own request.

He was taken to the Mater Hospital this morning after he was found lifeless in the cell and was pronounced dead a short time later.

The scene has been sealed off for forensic examination and a post mortem will be carried out on the victim’s body today.

The assault is the second to take place in Mountjoy in the last week, raising questions about the safety of inmates at the jail.

Last week, Nigerian man Goodwill Odechuckwu was stabbed by a gang at the prison after he was jailed for killing his wife.