Man found dead at Maghaberry

Michael McDonagh’s death inside the high security Maghaberry prison near Lisburn is the seventh suspected suicide in the region’s jails in the last 21 months and was the third inmate believed to have taken his own life inside Maghaberry this year.

The prisoner, on remand facing robbery charges, was discovered in the early hours of Monday morning. A ligature was also found in his cell.

Efforts to revive Mr McDonagh, were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 1.40am.

The police, coroner and Prisoner Ombudsman have all been informed and investigations have commenced.

Northern Ireland Prison Service director general Sue McAllister said the death was tragic.

“I would extend my sympathy and that of the Northern Ireland Prison Service to the family of Mr McDonagh,” she said.

“This is a tragedy and my thoughts are with them at this difficult time.”