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Daily Record
a day ago
- Daily Record
Probe launched into death of vulnerable prisoner who took life days after suicide watch stopped
Conor McHugh, 29, was found dead in his cell at HMP Kilmarnock on September 8, 2020, just two days before he was due to be released. The death of a vulnerable young prisoner who took his own life days after being removed from suicide watch is to be probed at a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI). Conor McHugh, 29, died at HMP Kilmarnock on September 8, 2020. He was serving a four month sentence after being convicted for a breach of the peace but began to struggle with his mental health behind bars. His mum, Gail Donaghy, previously told the Record that her son had been diagnosed with psychosis by the in-house mental health team after he attempted to take his own life. But despite being referred to a psychiatrist - who Conor allegedly never saw - his health continued to declin e and he began hearing voices. He made a second attempt on his life on September 3 and was rushed to hospital for treatment before being returned to the prison. His mum claims a decision was then made to remove him from suicide watch - which involves 15 minute welfare checks - and back into general population. Conor was tragically found dead in his prison cell just two days before he was due to be released. Speaking to the Record at the time, Gail, from Kilmarnock, said: 'I'm not condoning his behaviour but the jail have a lot to answer for. 'He was still my son, regardless of what he did, he was still my boy. 'He was crying out for mental health assistance and he never got it. 'He had spoken to someone on the mental health team back in June, who diagnosed him with psychosis, and he was supposed to be seeing a psychiatrist within two weeks. 'But now it's months later and that never happened.' Gail said that Conor had " wasted away" to skin and bones during his term at the jail. She went to visit him in hospital after the second suicide attempt and was left horrified at her son's visible decline. She said: 'He was still sitting in his blood stained clothes. He was really struggling that day and said to me 'will I ever be free?' 'Everyone who knew him noticed the decline in him over the last few months. Before, he was the life and soul of the party and always had a smile on his face. "And then suddenly, within months, he was a shadow of himself, wasting away to skin and bone. He wasn't himself at all." A Fatal Accident Inquiry into Conor's death will be held at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court. A continued preliminary hearing is scheduled to take place on October 22. The purpose of an FAI includes determining the cause of death, the circumstances in which the death occurred, and to establish what reasonable precautions could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than apportion blame.
Irish Times
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Nicky English: Cork outclassed Dublin to show favourites tag is well deserved
The cliche about goals winning matches may sound a bit obvious after the first All-Ireland semi-final but Cork unleashed some serious firepower to overwhelm an outclassed Dublin . Many of the things that had gone right for Dublin in beating Limerick came apart. They had to make changes in the full-back line. Andy Dunphy had to be replaced. Conor McHugh who was outstanding against Limerick, had to go off injured. Paddy Smith was under major, major pressure as Brian Hayes was outstanding. Cork were just dominating the puckout on both sides in the early stages. Seán Brennan's restarts were standing up into the wind and Cork were able to break it down. On their own puckout, Tim O'Mahony seemed to be free every time and Patrick Collins was able to just find him at will. Unchallenged, there was beautiful ball, hopping in front of the full-forward line where Hayes and Connolly looked very dangerous. They smelled blood and they went for it early with lovely moves, one to the other to create the chance and beautiful, close control to finish and one-handed finishes. READ MORE [ Cork return to All-Ireland final after demolishing Dublin in Croke Park Opens in new window ] [ Alan Connolly comes of age in pitch-perfect Cork full-forward line Opens in new window ] It was so disappointing for Dublin and must have been galling for Limerick to look at it and wonder how they missed out on the semi-finals. In fairness to Dublin, they did fight and got the deficit down to five points in the first half with the Cian O'Sullivan goal and Fergal Whitely coming back at Cork with two quick points after the first goal. But by half-time there was 10 points in it. Dublin were completely outclassed really. Their touch was a struggle. The pace of Cork was a struggle. It was hard for them to win ball and they were always under pressure and you just expected more goals to come. Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon in action against Dublin. Photograph: Leah Scholes/Inpho Just after half-time, Tim O'Mahony was in for a goal and then got another. It was a procession from there. Cork are hot favourites but they were really unchallenged this evening. They've scored seven goals, which hasn't happened in a semi-final since 1986. It's unlikely they'll score seven against Kilkenny or Tipperary but they are dangerous. [ Pat Ryan pours cold water but the Cork hype train has left the station Opens in new window ] The genie is back out of the bottle in Croke Park in the sun with a massive crowd supporting them and goals flying into the net. Goals can camouflage other areas and they'll have some concerns about their defence, which looked a bit vulnerable at times. Rob Downey had to go off injured and that will be another concern. They're going to take a lot of beating. When the likes of Hayes and Connolly get into space, they look irresistible. Declan Dalton also deserves a mention after coming back from injury. He was very impressive. There was a very tricky wind in Croke Park and it was swirling around this evening but Dalton's striking was phenomenal, allowing for a couple of wides. Mark Coleman is having a very good year – very neat on the ball and good delivery. They can probably expect more from Darragh Fitzgibbon and Shane Barrett the next day, and a few others who wouldn't be overly happy with their performance. That's a good way to go into a final after a big win – with players who have room for improvement. It may not have been a great test but they're back in the final with the experience of last year and are deserved favourites.
Irish Independent
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Dublin's dual in the crown: The 31-year-old ‘rookie' who brought Cruyff to Croke Park after finally hitting his stride
Meet Conor McHugh, a man of many talents hidden from public view far too long. He is the 31-year-old county 'rookie' who switched positions to shadow Cian Lynch in an All-Ireland SHC quarter-final.
