A MALE inmate is in a critical condition after he was attacked at Dublin's Mountjoy Prison on Friday.
The 34-year-old, who was committed to the prison earlier this week, remains in intensive care at the Mater Hospital after sustaining severe head injuries.
In a statement, the Irish Prison Service confirmed 'a prisoner was seriously injured during an incident' and that the matter is subject to a garda investigation.
According to RTÉ News, the inmate was attacked in his cell at around 6pm on Friday by a group of other prisoners.
It adds that he was committed to the prison on Thursday after being sentenced to six-and-a-half years.
He had pleaded guilty after being caught with a loaded semi-automatic pistol and a magazine in Dublin last year.
Gardaí, who are currently carrying out an investigation, believe the attack was ordered by a criminal outside the prison.