No new Garda probe into death of inmate who shared cell with suspect in recent prison murder
Concerns were raised this week when it emerged the now chief suspect in the murder of Salinger shared a cell with a man who was found dead in his cell in June.
Gardai say they will await a coroner's report over the death of a man who died in a cell he shared with the now chief suspect in last weekend’s prison murder.
This paper has established that officers have not at this time launched any criminal investigation into the death of a man in Dublin’s Cloverhill Prison in June of this year - but concerns have been raised in recent days over the fact that he did share a cell with a violent inmate who is now suspected of killing Martin Salinger in the same jail last Saturday.
However despite those concerns gardai are still treating the 49-year-old man’s death as being natural - and will for the moment await the result of an inquest. In a statement to this paper when asked about the issue gardai said that officers “continue the process of preparing a file for the Coroner only.”
Concerns were raised this week when it emerged that the man who died in June had shared a cell with a dangerous inmate who is now the chief suspect in the brutal murder of Martin Salinger. Salinger (43) from Ballyfermot was brutally beaten to death in his cell last Saturday morning.
READ MORE: Gardai to reexamine prison death after cellmate becomes chief suspect in recent brutal murder
READ MORE: Prisoner facing deportation found dead in Cloverhill Prison cell
The other man, who is from North Dublin, was on remand in Cloverhill earlier this year for road traffic and theft offences when he was found dead.
There were no suspicions over his death at the time - but in recent days the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana were informed by the Irish Prison Service that the suspect in Salinger’s death was housed with this man at the time of his death. “There are concerns over it, but for the moment there’s no new investigation,” a source said.
Last weekend Salinger suffered horrific injuries - including a puncture wound to his neck, caused by what sources say was a “prolonged” and vicious beating. Sources say the beating was so bad that blood was splattered high up on the walls of his cell. One of his cell mates was also attacked in the incident - with a broken kettle.
Their other cellmate, who is now the chief suspect, is being kept in a close observation cell - after being separated from the rest of the prison population. He has already been quizzed by gardai in relation to the murder - and has been released from their custody without charge. A file is now being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The chief suspect is well known to gardai and has served sentences for violent offences in the past.
Meanwhile the Irish Prison Service is also dealing with the death of another man in Cloverhill Prison on Monday. The man, who was a suspected illegal immigrant who was facing deportation, was found dead in his cell in the remand prison on Monday morning. It is understood there is no suspicion of foul play in his death.
In a statement the Irish Prison Service said it “can confirm that there was a death of a person in the custody of Cloverhill Prison on 7th October 2024.
“All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant. The cause of death is determined by the Coroner’s Office. The Irish Prison Service wish to express our condolences to the deceased’s family and friends.”
This week we revealed how murder victim Salinger (43) was also badly assaulted just two weeks ago. Salinger, who was awaiting trial for firearms and drugs offences, was attacked by three inmates on September 30. It is not yet clear if the incident has any connection to his murder on the weekend.
However sources say there were suspicions that Salinger was involved in trying to smuggle drugs into the prison - and there are concerns over a possible dispute surrounding that. Mr Salinger was well known in the Ballyfermot area and was involved in a horse and carriage business.
Tributes have since poured out on social media for Mr Salinger, who was known to some pals as “Cramps.” “Rip cramps me owl pal, may you get the best bed in heaven, you’ve left everyone who you met with great memories and laughs that will last a lifetime (sic),” one pal wrote. His son also paid tribute in a social media post writing: “Love you Da,” along with love heart emojis.
Mr Salinger had been charged over a gun and drug seizure in August. A handgun and €20,000 worth of cannabis were recovered by the Dublin Crime Response Team and the Garda Armed Support Unit, at a property in Ballyfermot on August 15. He was not regarded as a senior criminal and ran his own horse and carriage business in central Dublin.
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