Man quizzed over prisoner death released without charge

A man who was questioned about the murder of a 43-year-old inmate at Cloverhill Prison has been released without charge.

Martin Salinger, from Ballyfermot in Dublin, was found fatally injured in an overcrowded cell after prison officers responded to a disturbance in the early hours of Saturday.

An inmate, in his 30s, was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder.

He was detained at a garda station in west Dublin before being released and returned to custody at the prison.

Gardaí say a file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Prison Officers' Association said it has continually raised serious concerns about overcrowding in the prisons and Cloverhill is one of the most overcrowded in the country.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said 150 additional spaces will be delivered this year and the prison service budget will increase by 70% next year as part of her plan to deliver over 1,000 extra spaces and hundreds of extra staff.

The Prison Service said an investigation into the death in custody of Salinger will also be carried out by the Office of the Inspector of Prisons, which will include the issue of overcrowding.