Investigations into Westport and Swinford deaths

THE Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has launched an investigation after the death of a man in garda custody in Westport today.

The man became unwell while being conveyed to the local garda station and later died.

A post-mortem examination was carried out today at Mayo University Hospital.

An investigation is also underway into the death of a resident at the Áras Attracta care centre in Swinford.

The woman got into difficulty when she went to a common kitchen area to get something to eat, shortly before 10 p.m. on Sunday night.

Staff members on duty at the time heard she was having difficulty in swallowing a piece of food and tried to assist her.

Specialist suction equipment to deal with choking incidents was deployed and emergency service personnel were called to the home in Swinford.

Efforts to revive the woman were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The HSE said it is liaising with gardaí and the local coroner following the death.