Doubts grow on man's death

A second post mortem examination carried out on a prisoner who died last Saturday in Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim, is reported …

A second post mortem examination carried out on a prisoner who died last Saturday in Maghaberry jail, Co Antrim, is reported to have raised further doubts over how he died.

Mr Jim McDonnell (36) died from a heart attack in a cell in a punishment wing. However, a post mortem examination showed that he suffered extensive injuries, including 11 broken ribs and a torn neck cartilage.

The Northern Ireland Office said he was injured during attempts at resuscitation. The first post mortem examination supported this view. But, according to a report in the Irish News, a second post mortem by a Scottish pathologist indicated that the neck injuries were not consistent with the prison authorities' accounts.