Gardaí are investigating links to the drugs trade as a possible motive for a stab attack yesterday morning on a prisoner in Mountjoy, Dublin. The 26-year-old drug dealer was critically ill last night.
He had been committed to the prison on Wednesday, less than 48 hours before the attack.
Gardaí are working on the theory that the victim, a petty criminal from Dublin's inner city, may have been involved in a dispute with other criminals in the capital before being imprisoned.They believe that may have presented his rivals or their associates with an opportunity to attack him.
Prison staff first became aware of the incident when two officers were approached by the victim in the exercise yard at 11.15am.
He had his hand to his neck and said he had just been stabbed. He had also been stabbed in the chest.
He was attended to by medics and then brought by ambulance to the nearby Mater hospital, and lost consciousness on arrival. He was admitted to intensive care and surgery was performed.
He regained consciousness last night and hospital staff believed that although he was still critically ill, he would survive.
The scene at the exercise yard was sealed off for technical examination. Gardaí from Mountjoy Garda station visited the jail yesterday to carry out inquiries. A sharp implement was recovered.
Governor of Mountjoy John Lonergan has ordered a separate internal investigation.
All prisoners on committal are asked if they believe they would have any problems with others. He had not indicated he was in danger of attack.
This was the latest in a number of serious prison-related incidents. Ten days ago an inmate at Wheatfield Prison, Dublin, escaped during a visit to St James's Hospital.