PRESS RELEASE
HARTE COYLE COLLINS, SOLICITORS & ADVOCATES
ISSUED 30TH SEPTEMBER 2026
SETTLEMENT OF DEATH IN CUSTODY CIVIL ACTION AGAINST NORTHERN IRELAND PRISON SERVICE
Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Advocates, have settled a civil action against the Northern Ireland Prison Service for negligence for a significant sum on behalf of the next of kin of a prisioner who died while in Maghaberry jail several years ago.
The civil action was resolved after an inquest jury found negligence on behalf of Northern Ireland Prison Service. The inquest jury found that Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) failed the deceased insofar as there were insufficient prison facilities, insufficient staffing levels and checks, some staff on 24 hour shifts and a lack of appropriate support.
Patricia Coyle, Solicitor, who acted on behalf of the next of kin in the inquest proceedings subsequently issued a Writ against NIPS for negligence and breach of statutory duty.
In 2026 the Departmental Solicitors Office resolved the High Court action by way of a court office lodgement for a signifiant sum which was accepted by the next of kin.
Patricia Coyle, Solicitor said today;
” We are delighted to have assisted our client in resolving this High Court claim. It is extremely distressing for the next of kin of those who take their own lives while in prison custody. Such individuals are inevitably vulnerable persons who may not have received the appropriate level of safe-guarding and care by the state. An individual’s rights are not diminished just because they are in custody. There is a statutory obligation on the state to take proper care of those in the prison system and to provide the appropriate level of physical and mental healthcare.
It is important that the next of kin of those who die in custody have the circumstances of their loved one’s death carefully scrutinised by a coroner and a jury to ensure complete transparency. It is also important that in cases where inquest juries find failings in the prison system contributed to the death of their loved one, there is some accountability via compensation.”
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