Investigation launched into prisoner's death

An investigation was under way tonight into the death of a prisoner found collapsed in his cell in the North.

John Anthony Deery, aged 50, who was described as “vulnerable” had been in Maghaberry Prison, near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

Medical staff tried to resuscitate him when they were called to his cell at the jail’s healthcare facility last night but he died this afternoon in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital where he had been on a life support machine.

A statement issued tonight on behalf of the Prison Service of Northern Ireland said in a separate incident at the same jail last night, another prisoner “with a history of serious illness” was transferred to the Lagan Valley hospital, also Lisburn, after he was found in his cell.

Mr Deery had been in custody within the past week. He was discovered last night at 10pm. There were no further details about his detention.

A Prison Service spokesman was also unavailable for comment.

The statement issued by the Northern Ireland Office said police, the prisons minister Paul Goggins and the Prisoner Ombudsman had begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

The condition of the second prisoner was unknown tonight. He was taken by ambulance to hospital after he was found in Magheraberry’s healthcare facility at 8.36pm last night, according to the statement.