Prisoner dies after stabbing in Dublin's Mountjoy

An investigation is under way this evening into the death of a prisoner in Dublin's Mountjoy jail.

The 31-year-old man was rushed to the Mater Hospital after he was stabbed once in the chest at about midday. He died of his injuries shortly afterwards. It is understood a knife was used in the attack on the prison's B-Wing.

A spokesman for the Prison Service said the man was attacked while prisoners were out of their cells between 10 and 12 today.  The scene of the incident was sealed off and prison staff were carrying out a detailed search of the area, he said.

Gardaí were called to the prison and began an investigation into the incident.  A post mortem is expected to take place later.

The dead man was serving a nine-month sentence for drugs offences.