Mountjoy under scrutiny after two deaths in 12 hours

The regime at Mountjoy Prison is expected to come under renewed scrutiny today following the deaths of two inmates in a 12-hour period yesterday.

The most recent fatality happened yesterday afternoon, when a 21-year-old prisoner died from a suspected drugs overdose after falling ill in his cell at around lunchtime.

Just 12 hours earlier, a 39-year-old inmate was found hanging in a protective cell where he had requested to be put for his own safety.

The latest deaths follow the murder of 21-year-old Gary Douch at Mountjoy three weeks ago and a spate of attacks on other inmates that have reportedly raised tensions among prisoners at the jail.

Reports this morning said prison officers in riot gear were on standby at the prison last night in case of any unrest.

Yesterday's deaths came on the same day that the Inspector of Prisons released his latest annual report on the state of Ireland's jails.

Justice Dermot Kinlan hit out at Minister for Justice Michael McDowell in the report, accusing him of doing little or nothing to address repeated concerns about prison conditions and poor facilities.