An Irish man has been found dead while in custody in Portugal after allegations he had seriously assaulted a woman with whom he had travelled to the country.
It is understood the deceased is a 29-year-old from the northwest of the Republic.
The woman he is alleged to have assaulted is also in her late 20s. They were well known to each other and are believed to have travelled to Portugal together for a visit when the complaint of alleged assault was made.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was “aware of the case and is providing consular assistance”. It said: “As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the detail of individual cases.”
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The man was arrested in Albufeira, a popular destination for Irish holidaymakers in southern Algarve. While in custody, he was found dead in his cell on Wednesday morning, though news of his death emerged on Thursday.
While details of the case were continuing to emerge, it appears the man, from the Republic, was arrested on Tuesday over the alleged serious assault.
Portugal’s police force, the National Republican Guard confirmed “in the early hours” of Tuesday the deceased “was being held at the GNR Territorial Sub-Detachment in Albufeira”.
He was found dead by suicide inside his cell, police said.
“Emergency services were called immediately, however, he was declared dead at the scene,” the statement added. “The National Guard also clarifies that the individual had been detained since the previous night, following attacks on his partner, aged 29, using a knife (blade weapon).
“The circumstances of the death inside the cell are being investigated, and the Guard is ensuring the necessary coordination with other entities, namely the Judicial Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the General Inspectorate of Internal Administration (IGAI).”
It is understood the woman injured in the attack has undergone medical treatment for wounds and has since been discharged. The couple were in Portugal, with relatives, for a family event.
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