Irish man found dead in Portuguese police cell

A man from the Republic of Ireland has been found dead in a police cell in Portugal.

Police in Portugal said the 29-year old man had been detained on suspicion of assault in Albufeira on Tuesday.

The National Republican Guard - the gendarmerie force of Portugal - said he took his own life. He was found dead in his cell on Wednesday morning.

A spokesperson said emergency services were called immediately but he was declared dead at the scene.

An investigation is under way into the circumstances of the man’s death, the spokesperson added.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.

“As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the detail of individual cases," a spokesperson said.