Man injured in Garda custody dies

A middle-aged Russian man died today three days after being found with serious head injuries in a garda cell in Cork city.

The 51-year-old had been arrested in the Victoria Cross area early last Friday morning after gardaí received reports of criminal damage.

An hour and 15 minutes after being taken to Togher Garda Station he was rushed to Cork University Hospital with serious injuries.

But gardaí said the man died today and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

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

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.

Gardai 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.