Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 1145Death in custody (inquest) · Co. Dublin · 21 Feb 2024

Inquest hears solicitor 'mystified' why gardaí did not seek copy of prisoner's post-mortem

Michael 'Skin' Devlin, a father of five, was found unresponsive in his cell at Cloverhill Prison in Clondalkin, Dublin on 21 February 2024, less than two months after being recaptured and returned to prison following a period on the run of almost four years. A post-mortem attributed his death to complications of acute adult supraglottitis, a rare bacterial infection. At a preliminary inquest hearing on 13 August 2025, a solicitor told the court he was 'mystified' why gardaí had not sought a copy of the post-mortem before submitting the file to the DPP. The coroner granted a three-month adjournment and listed the case for further mention on 13 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court13 Aug
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Michael 'Skin' Devlin was found unresponsive in his cell at Cloverhill Prison in Clondalkin, Dublin.
When
The death occurred on 21 February 2024.
Cause
The post-mortem attributed his death to complications of acute adult supraglottitis, a rare bacterial infection causing inflammation of parts of the larynx.
Investigation
Gardaí sought a copy of the post-mortem on 8 August 2025 after the Garda file had been mislaid and resubmitted.
In court
At a preliminary inquest hearing on 13 August 2025, a solicitor said he was 'mystified' why gardaí had not included a copy of the post-mortem in the file submitted to the DPP, and the coroner granted a three-month adjournment listing the case for 13 November.
Other details
  • Mr Devlin had been on the run for almost four years after absconding from Shelton Abbey open prison in Arklow, Co Wicklow in the summer of 2020, and was returned to prison in January 2024.
  • He was in the closing months of a 10-year prison sentence at the time of his death.
  • He had 11 previous convictions and developed a heroin addiction in 2009.
  • He was a father of five with an address in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, and originally came from Drogheda, Co Louth.
  • He was due to face further charges over his absconding from Shelton Abbey.
  • His father was convicted on a similar charge in relation to the discovery of almost 65kg of cannabis worth €1.3 million and was given a 12-year sentence with the final four years suspended.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMichael 'Skin' Devlin was found unresponsive in his cell at Cloverhill Prison in Clondalkin, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe was found less than two months after his recapture following a period on the run for almost four years. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatHe was returned to prison in January 2024 after absconding from Shelton Abbey open prison in Arklow, Co Wicklow in the summer of 2020. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe death occurred on 21 February 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe post-mortem found he died from complications of acute adult supraglottitis, a rare bacterial infection causing inflammation of parts of the larynx. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí sought a copy of the post-mortem on 8 August 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeHe pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at Cartown, Termonfeckin, Co Louth on 20 September 2013. (irishmirror.ie)
  • courtThe coroner granted a three-month adjournment and listed the case for further mention on 13 November. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Devlin was in the closing months of a 10-year prison sentence at the time of his death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe had 11 previous convictions and developed a heroin addiction in 2009. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHis father was convicted on a similar charge in relation to the discovery of almost 65kg of cannabis worth €1.3 million and was given a 12-year sentence with the final four years suspended. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe father and son lost a joint appeal at the Court of Appeal in February 2016. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Devlin was a father of five with an address in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, and originally came from Drogheda, Co Louth. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherHe was due to face further charges over his absconding from Shelton Abbey. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Aug2025
    In courtirishmirror.ie, first report
    Solicitor 'mystified' why gardai didn't seek copy of prisoner's post-mortem

    Preliminary inquest hearing at Dublin District Coroner's Court; post-mortem attributed death to acute adult supraglottitis; Garda file had been mislaid and resubmitted; three-month adjournment granted.

    victim, Michael 'Skin' Devlin, male, irish (judged from name)Michael 'Skin' Devlin