A 39-year-old man who died after a suspected fatal assault in his cell at Wheatfield Prison has been named as Brendan Gahan.
Mr Gahan, who was from Tallaght in Dublin, was serving a sentence of two years and nine months for possession of drugs for sale or supply.
He had been sentenced in February after pleading guilty to the offence.
He was in a two-person cell when he was allegedly attacked, possibly with a knife or other bladed weapon, on Thursday night, it is understood.
A knife or other bladed weapon may have been used in the assault, it is understood.
Gardaí are investigating Mr Gahan’s death in Wheatfield Prison in Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
A Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to support the family of the deceased.
The results of a post-mortem examination will determine the direction of the investigation, a garda statement said.
One prison source said that drone deliveries of contraband are now so common in prisons that they would not be surprised if a prisoner was able to access a weapon for an attack.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if a knife or a shiv was involved,” they said.
Some 384 illegal drone deliveries were detected by the Irish Prison Service (IPS) in 2025, with 212 of those detected at Wheatfield Prison.
However, following the installation of a metallic net at Wheatfield, drone deliveries dropped by 73%, to 12 deliveries detected by the IPS during the first four months of this year.
The IPS confirmed a “death in custody” at the prison on Friday morning.
“All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Síochána, where circumstances warrant,” a spokesperson said.
“The cause of death is determined by the coroner’s office.
“The Irish Prison Service wishes to express our condolences to the deceased’s family and friends. Next of kin have been informed,” they added.