Commission blames systemic management failures for 'avoidable' death of Mountjoy inmate
A Commission of Investigation report has found the death of inmate Gary Douch in a Dublin prison was the result of catastrophic failures and was avoidable.
The 21-year-old Dubliner died after being assaulted in Mountjoy prison on August 1, 2006.
Gary Douch died after being assaulted in a holding cell in Mountjoy Prison, and in 2009, fellow prisoner Stephen Egan was convicted of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, and sentenced to life in prison.
The Commission of Investigation has found the 21-year-old's death was avoidable and should not have happened.
The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has today met with and apologised to his family for the failures by the State and the Prison Service that resulted in his death.
The report concludes that overcrowding was a contributing factor, as well as systemic management failures, and the management, medical treatment and psychiatric care of fellow prisoner Stephen Egan.
The Minister says a number of improvements have been made to make sure it does not happen again.
An inter-departmental group is now examining the issues raised, and it will report back to the Justice Minister within three months.
