A Commission of Investigation report has found the death of inmate Gary Douch in a Dublin prison was the result of catastrophic failures and was avoidable. The Dubliner died after being assaulted in Mountjoy Prison on 1st August back in 2006.

Gary Douch (20) died after being brutally assaulted in a holding cell in the prison. In 2009, fellow prisoner Stephen Egan was convicted of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and sentenced to life in prison.

The Commission has found the death of Mr. Douch was avoidable and should not have happened.

The Justice Minister Alan Shatter has today met with and apologised to his family for the catastrophic failures by the State and the Prison Service that resulted in his death.

The report concludes that over-crowding was a contributing factor - as well as systemic management failures - and the management, medical treatment and psychiatric care of fellow-prisoner Stephen Egan.

The Minister says a number of improvements have been made to make sure it does not happen again.

An inter-departmental group is now examining the issues raised and it will report back to the Justice Minister within three months.