Case No. 5017Homicide (stabbing) · Co. Dublin · 5 Oct 2024

Prisoner Martin Salinger stabbed to death in Cloverhill prison

Martin Salinger, 43, was found dead in his cell at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin on Saturday 5 October 2024 after being stabbed with a piece of a broken kettle. He had also been assaulted at the prison in September, and gardaí are investigating; a man in his 30s arrested in connection with the death was released without charge and a file will go to the DPP.

  1. Reported5 Oct
    3 reports
  2. Arrested5 Oct
    7 reports
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
97 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA second man from Laois was injured but not life-threateningly (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA third man was in the cell but was not injured (irishtimes.com)
  • whatA prisoner died at Cloverhill Prison. (garda.ie)
  • whatMartin Salinger was stabbed to death in his cell at Cloverhill Prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe was stabbed in the neck in his cell on the protection landing of the remand prison. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatOne of the other prisoners in the cell was injured and treated in the prison infirmary. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe attack on Salinger was prolonged and started around 5am. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe suspect also attacked another inmate shortly after Salinger was killed, stabbing him with the kettle knife; that man survived. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatMartin Salinger was found brutally murdered in his cell on the Saturday before the article. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe death occurred at Cloverhill Prison (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe death happened at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin. (garda.ie)
  • whereA prisoner was stabbed to death in his cell at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereA prisoner was stabbed to death in his cell in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereMartin Salinger was found dead in his cell on the D1 landing of the remand prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereMr Salinger was found dead in his cell on the D1 landing of the remand prison. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whereThe death occurred at Cloverhill Prison in Dublin. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe body was found in a cell on the D1 landing of the remand prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe attack happened on the D1 landing of the prison in Clondalkin. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereSalinger was stabbed to death in Cloverhill prison in Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe death occurred at about 5.30am (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe death occurred on Saturday, 5 October 2024. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe body was found in the cell on the D1 landing at around 5am on Saturday 5 October 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenPrison authorities alerted gardaí and emergency services shortly after 5:30 a.m. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe prisoner was found dead in his cell at around 5am on 5 October 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenGardaí and emergency services were alerted shortly after 5:30 a.m. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenHe was found at around 5am on Saturday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMr Salinger was found dead at around 5am on 5 October 2024. (dublinlive.ie)
  • whenThe prisoner died on Saturday 5 October 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe killing happened at about 5.30am on Saturday. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe Irish Prison Service confirmed the death occurred on October 5th, 2024. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenSalinger was found dead in his cell on Saturday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenMartin Salinger was found dead in his cell on Saturday morning. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeGardaí suspect the prisoner was stabbed to death. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe death is suspected to be a stabbing. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeIt is understood he was stabbed in the neck during a violent incident that also saw one of his cellmates slashed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeMr Salinger died from stab wounds. (dublinlive.ie)
  • causeThe victim was stabbed in the neck during a violent incident in which a cellmate was also slashed. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeThe attack followed a row in the cell. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe chief suspect is believed to have stabbed Salinger in the neck on Saturday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • causeSources believe Salinger sustained his neck and body injuries from a sustained beating. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponSources say the victim was stabbed with an improvised shank-like weapon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe victim was reportedly stabbed with an improvised shank-like weapon. (dublinlive.ie)
  • weaponSources believe he was stabbed with an improvised shank-like weapon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponThe weapon was reported to be a piece of a broken kettle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponSources believe the victim was stabbed with an improvised shank-like weapon. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponIt is understood a makeshift weapon was used in the attack. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponSalinger was attacked with a piece of a broken kettle. (irishmirror.ie)
  • weaponGardaí have ruled out a broken kettle as the weapon used to stab Salinger. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA man in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of murder (irishtimes.com, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe arrested man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a West Dublin Garda station (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA Garda SIO has been appointed to lead the investigation (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA Family Liaison Officer has been assigned to the family of the deceased (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí at Ronanstown are investigating all the circumstances surrounding the death. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí arrested a man in his 30s on suspicion of murder. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA Garda Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed to lead the investigation. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe scene has been preserved for forensic and technical examination. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe Coroner has been notified and the State Pathologist and Garda Technical Bureau have been requested. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationThe cell scene has been preserved for forensic and technical examination. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí have launched a murder investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí at Ronanstown are investigating the death of a prisoner at Cloverhill Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched a murder investigation after Mr Salinger's death. (dublinlive.ie)
  • investigationGardaí launched a murder investigation. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe cell was sealed off for a full forensic examination. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA Garda senior investigating officer and a family liaison officer have been appointed. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe man in his 30s was detained for questioning under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in west Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí at Ronanstown are investigating the circumstances of the death of a prisoner at Cloverhill Prison on Saturday 5 October 2024. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA man in his 30s arrested in relation to the investigation has been released without charge. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationA file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí and the Inspector of Prisons are to look again at an earlier death in Cloverhill Prison. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationThe chief suspect was arrested and released without charge on Monday. (irishmirror.ie)
  • chargeA file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe suspect is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in West Dublin. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe victim was on remand awaiting trial over an alleged seizure of cannabis and a handgun. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe suspect has been moved to a close supervision cell. (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
  • otherAnother prisoner was injured in the incident with cuts on his body. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherA man in his 40s was injured in the incident and pronounced dead a short time after receiving treatment. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMr Salinger was on remand awaiting trial over an alleged seizure of cannabis and a handgun. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherAnother prisoner was injured in the incident with a number of cuts on his body. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe Office of the Inspector of Prisons also investigates all deaths in custody. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherThe suspect has been removed to a close supervision cell. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe other injured prisoner is being treated for non-life-threatening injuries. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMartin Salinger was on remand awaiting trial over an alleged seizure of cannabis and a handgun. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMartin Salinger was in his 40s. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe arrested man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in West Dublin. (dublinlive.ie)
  • otherAnother prisoner was injured in the incident and had cuts on his body. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe suspect is known to prison authorities and has previously served time for a violent offence. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe Office of the Inspector of Prisons also investigates deaths in custody. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherMartin Salinger was a horse and carriage driver and business owner who lived in Ballyfermot. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThree prisoners were in the two-man cell when the fatal stabbing occurred. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe body was removed for a postmortem examination and the coroner was notified. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherAn inquest will be held at a later date. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMartin Salinger had been charged two months earlier with drugs and firearms offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherSalinger had been assaulted at the prison the previous month in an attack suspected to be related to a drugs row. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSalinger had been charged over a gun and drug seizure in August. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe chief suspect is held in a close observation unit, isolated from the rest of the prison population. (irishmirror.ie)
  • otherSalinger had been attacked by three inmates on September 30, before his murder. (irishmirror.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 Oct2024
    Gardai to reexamine prison death after cellmate named suspect in recent murder

    Adds that gardaí have ruled out a broken kettle as the weapon and believe Salinger was beaten rather than stabbed; the chief suspect was arrested and released without charge, with a file being prepared for the DPP; an earlier Cloverhill death is being reexamined; the suspect is held in a close observation unit.

    victim, Martin Salinger, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Salingersuspect
  2. 7 Oct2024
    Man stabbed to death in Cloverhill prison had been assaulted two weeks earlier

    Irish Mirror exclusive. Adds that Salinger was assaulted at the prison on 20 September in a suspected drugs-related attack, that another inmate was also stabbed with the kettle knife but survived, that Salinger had been charged over a gun and drug seizure in August, and that the man arrested was released without charge.

    victim, Martin Salinger, 43, maleMartin Salingersuspect, 30s, malevictim, male
  3. 6 Oct2024
    Man who was stabbed to death at Cloverhill Prison named as Martin Salinger (43)

    First report of the death, naming the victim as Martin Salinger, and reporting the arrest of a man in his 30s on suspicion of murder.

    victim, Martin Salinger, 43, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Salingersuspect, 30s, malevictim
  4. 6 Oct2024
    Murder investigation launched after prisoner slashed with piece of broken kettle

    Names the victim as Martin Salinger, gives his home area and background, and adds details of the weapon, the other injured prisoner, the suspect's custody status and the Garda and Irish Prison Service statements.

    victim, Martin Salinger, 40s, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Salingersuspect, 30s, malevictim, male
  5. 5 Oct2024
    Man arrested in connection with death of man in Cloverhill Prison

    Adds that Mr Salinger was from Ballyfermot, was found in his cell on the D1 landing at around 5am, died from stab wounds, and that the arrested man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in West Dublin.

    victim, Martin Salinger, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Salingersuspect, 30s, male
  6. 5 Oct2024
    Man stabbed to death in Cloverhill cell pictured as Gardai launch murder probe

    Names the dead prisoner as Martin Salinger, gives his age as in his 40s, and reports that a murder investigation has been launched. It describes a violent incident in which a cellmate was also slashed and says the suspect was moved to a close supervision cell. It does not mention an arrest.

    victim, Martin Salinger, 40s, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Salingervictim, malesuspect
  7. 5 Oct2024
    Murder probe launched as man stabbed to death in Cloverhill named

    Adds that Mr Salinger was on remand for alleged cannabis and handgun seizure, the weapon was described as an improvised shank-like object, the suspect was moved to a close supervision cell, a Garda Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed, and another prisoner was injured. The article does not say anyone has been arrested.

    victim, Martin Salinger, 40s, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Salingersuspectvictim, male
  8. 5 Oct2024
    Man stabbed to death in Cloverhill cell named as Gardai to launch murder probe

    Names the dead prisoner as Martin Salinger, from Ballyfermot, who was on remand over an alleged cannabis and handgun seizure. Says the suspect was moved to a close supervision cell and another prisoner was injured. Gives a weapon description (improvised shank-like) and says the scene is preserved and a Garda Senior Investigating Officer has been appointed. No arrest is reported.

    victim, Martin Salinger, 40s, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Salingervictimsuspect
  9. 5 Oct2024
    Arrest: Investigation into the Death of a Male in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, 5th October 2024

    Official Garda statement confirming the arrest of a man in his 30s on suspicion of murder and that he is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a West Dublin Garda station. Does not name the prisoner or the suspect.

    victim, malesuspect, 30s, male
  10. 5 Oct2024
    Man arrested after Cloverhill prisoner dies following early morning altercation

    Confirms the deceased was on remand for drugs and firearms offences, that a second man from Laois was injured (not life-threatening), a third man was in the cell uninjured, the arrest was under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at a West Dublin Garda station, and that a SIO and FLO have been appointed.

    victim, 40s, male, irish (judged from name)suspect, 30s, malevictim, male, irish (judged from name)