Prisoner Died After Cell Could Not Be Opened in Time, Inquest Hears

Portlaoise: A prisoner at Midlands Prison died without receiving timely medical treatment after a delay in accessing his cell due to missing keys, an inquest has heard.

According to evidence presented during the inquest, a nurse was left unable to assist the inmate, who was struggling to breathe inside his locked cell, and was forced to wait helplessly while staff searched for the keys.

Following the incident, the Irish Prison Service introduced new procedures regarding the handling of prison cell keys. Under the revised directive, the Assistant Chief Officer must retain the keys for E and G cell blocks during meal times to avoid similar delays in emergencies.

14-Minute Delay Linked to Death

Details of the incident emerged during an inquest into the death of the 59-year-old inmate, which occurred at Midlands Prison on August 2, 2021.

The hearing was told that a delay of approximately 14 minutes in opening the prisoner’s cell contributed to the death. The man had been serving a five-year sentence since October 2018.

The report stated that the staff member responsible for the keys to sections E and G had gone to another locked area of the prison at the time of the emergency. It was also revealed that the officer did not have a Tetra radio, preventing emergency communications from reaching them immediately.

Nurse Unable to Reach Prisoner

The prisoner reportedly alerted staff to his medical distress through the prison’s Tetra radio communication system. A nurse responded immediately but was unable to enter the cell because the door remained locked while staff searched for the keys.

During the delay, the nurse attempted to communicate with the prisoner through a small hatch in the cell door. The inmate was reportedly in severe distress, struggling to breathe and speak.

According to the inquest, the man later collapsed beside his bed and became unresponsive before the cell could be opened.

Once access was gained, medical staff administered an EpiPen, but the prisoner had already lost consciousness. Further emergency treatment, including CPR, oxygen support, use of a defibrillator and a second EpiPen, failed to revive him.

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