Drugs are suspected to have played a part in the deaths of two inmates in Limerick and Wheatfield prisons.

A 25-year-old, who was reportedly serving a sentence for manslaughter, was found in his cell in Limerick Prison at around 4am this morning.

His body was taken to Midwest Regional Hospital where a post mortem is due to be carried out.

Meanwhile, according to the Irish Times, on Christmas Eve, a 23-year-old man, who was in custody pending a court appearance, was found dead in his cell in Wheatfield Prison.

Investigations into both deaths are underway.

Cathal McMahon, crime reporter with the Irish Daily Mirror, says these investigations will try to establish how the man had access to drugs while he was in the prison:

Originally posted at 11.37am