Gardaí investigating after man dies in Wheatfield Prison cell

What gardaí think about the Wheatfield Prison death

The Irish Prison Service confirmed a death in custody on 13 August, said next of kin have been informed and offered its condolences to the man’s family and friends.

A senior investigating officer has been assigned to establish the circumstances.

It is understood the man was 39 and from Dublin, and that he was sharing a cell with another prisoner when he died.

He was serving a sentence of two years and nine months for possession of drugs for sale or supply, RTÉ News reports.

the Irish Mirror reported that officers believe the victim, who was from south-west Dublin, was stabbed to death in his cell late on Thursday night.

Gardaí said the Garda National Technical Bureau has been called in, a family liaison officer appointed and the Coroner’s Office notified.

A post-mortem examination will determine the direction of the investigation.

"Gardaí are investigating all circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body of a male (in his 30s) on Thursday 13th of August 2026 in Wheatfield Prison, Clondalkin, Dublin 22," said An Garda Síochána in a statement.

"A Senior Investigating Officer has been assigned to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of the male."

All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána where circumstances warrant, and investigators from the Inspectorate’s death in custody team are also involved.

The inquiry comes at a busy period for gardaí in the capital, following recent Garda operations in Dublin and seizures linked to organised crime.