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Inquest opens into prison death Inquest opens into prison death
(30 minutes later)
The inquest has begun into the death of a woman at Maghaberry Prison.The inquest has begun into the death of a woman at Maghaberry Prison.
Roseanne Irvine suffered from mental illness and alcohol dependency, and had attempted suicide before in custody.Roseanne Irvine suffered from mental illness and alcohol dependency, and had attempted suicide before in custody.
Ms Irvine, 34, was found hanging in her cell in March 2004 while on remand. A prison nurse told the coroner's court she had been assessed as suicidal.Ms Irvine, 34, was found hanging in her cell in March 2004 while on remand. A prison nurse told the coroner's court she had been assessed as suicidal.
The nurse said she should have been seen by a doctor within 48 hours, but the doctor was too busy and Ms Irvine was found dead the next day.The nurse said she should have been seen by a doctor within 48 hours, but the doctor was too busy and Ms Irvine was found dead the next day.
She had a history of self-harm and depression and had attempted suicide several times before while in custody.She had a history of self-harm and depression and had attempted suicide several times before while in custody.
Ms Irvine, the mother of a young daughter, was on remand on an arson charge when she died.Ms Irvine, the mother of a young daughter, was on remand on an arson charge when she died.
Her sister told the Belfast coroner she believed Roseanne should have been in a secure unit rather than a prison because of her mental state.Her sister told the Belfast coroner she believed Roseanne should have been in a secure unit rather than a prison because of her mental state.
In a note to her mother, Roseanne Irvine had written: "Life in here is hell. I can't say what I want to in this letter."In a note to her mother, Roseanne Irvine had written: "Life in here is hell. I can't say what I want to in this letter."
In a note to her daughter, she said: "Please forgive me, mummy was very sad. I will always watch over you."
The court was told there have been considerable improvements in how women prisoners are kept since Ms Irvine's death.
The inquest continues.The inquest continues.