Man dies in garda custody after collapsing in cell

A 52-year-old man has died after collapsing in a cell in a garda station.

The Garda Ombudsman is investigating the death of Hugh Brien in the Mater Hospital in the early hours of this morning.

Mr Brien, a single man from Orchardstown Drive in Rathfarnham, was arrested in central Dublin at approximately 8.20pm last night under public order legislation.

He was taken to Store Street garda station where he was placed in a cell.

The ombudsman said he was found lying unconscious when he was checked at about 1.30am.

A medic attempted resuscitation and Mr Brien was transferred to the Mater Hospital, where he was pronounced dead an hour later.

The matter was referred to the Garda Siochna Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) by the Garda Commissioner.