Sex offender found dead in cell in Midlands Prison

The death of a prisoner in the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise is being investigated by the Irish Prison Service.

Initial indications suggest the man died of natural causes and foul play is not suspected.

The man was found dead in his cell in the Co Laois prison on Monday. He had been before the courts several times in relation to sexual crimes.

Aged 59, with an address in Dublin’s north inner city, the deceased was jailed in 2019 for possession of child pornography on several dates and at different locations in Dublin.

Lockdown stress spurs surge in armed barricade incidents – Garda

---

Release of two criminals poses ‘complex’ security risks, say gardaí

---

Narcotics with street value of €560,000 seized by gardaí

---

Hundreds of cannabis plants uncovered after blaze at large shed

---

At the time he had eight previous convictions, all of which were for possession of child pornography. He had been detected viewing the material at times when he was already under investigation, having previously been caught.

When his home was searched as part of Garda inquiries he was caught with binders containing images of children, and also USBs containing images.

The Irish Prison Service confirmed a death had taken place at the Midlands Prison but added it “could not comment further on any individual case”.