Inmate died from 'drugs cocktail'

13 June 2012 Last updated at 01:17 ET By Vincent Kearney BBC NI home affairs correspondent

Prisoner Ombudsman Pauline McCabe has said she is worried there is an acceptance of illegal drugs within Northern Ireland prisons.

She made the comments after her report into the death of a Londonderry man who died after taking a cocktail of drugs in Maghaberry Prison in June last year.

Patrick Duffy, 49, was on a range of prescription drugs for medical problems during his two months in the prison.

It is believed he died after trading some of his tablets for illicit drugs.

The day before his death he was given 63 different tablets, but only two were found in his cell after his death.

It is believed Mr Duffy swapped the rest for a cocktail of three other illicit drugs, and died shortly after taking them.

Ms McCabe has criticised the management of prescription drugs within the prison service.

In a report published on Wednesday, she said it was inappropriate for Patrick Duffy to be issued with a week's supply as he had a history of overdose and self harming.

Mr Duffy was committed to Maghaberry on remand on 20 April last year. He was facing charges of criminal damage and assault in connection with violence that followed an Apprentice Boys parade in Derry.

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Inmate died from 'drugs cocktail'