Man in Garda custody sustains serious head injuries

A man is being treated for serious head injuries after being taken into Garda custody today.

The 51-year-old was arrested in Cork early this morning by officers investigating a report of criminal damage.

An hour and 15 minutes after being taken to Togher Garda Station he was taken to Cork University Hospital where his injuries are described as serious.

Garda Headquarters issued a statement outlining their version of events leading up to the man requiring medical treatment.

Officers were called to the Victoria Cross Road area of the city at around 6.40am, according to the statement.

Shortly afterwards the man was arrested at Carrigrohane Road in connection with a report of criminal damage.

Gardaí say the man was taken to Togher Garda Station at 7.05am and placed in a cell alone where he was checked on a number of times.

He was discovered lying on the floor of the cell unconscious at 8.20am with an apparent head injury, according to officers at the station.

The man was taken by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where he is getting treatment for serious injuries.

A senior officer based in north Cork, Superintendent Pat McCarthy, has been asked carry to out an internal investigation of the circumstances of the case.