It was our privilege at McIvor Farrell Solicitors to represent the family of Jason Weir at the inquest into his tragic death while in custody at Magilligan Prison in February 2021.
Following a four-day inquest, the jury delivered its verdict on 9 October 2025, concluding that errors and omissions by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust contributed to Jason’s death. The findings highlighted failures in the recording and administration of prescribed medication, as well as a lack of effective communication between healthcare teams responsible for his care.
The jury also noted that other personal factors, including the death of Jason’s grandmother, his brother’s release from prison, and parole restrictions, influenced his state of mind at the time of his death.
Jason Weir, aged 34, was described throughout the inquest as a loving father, son, and brother, deeply valued by his family and friends. Witnesses spoke of his intelligence, kindness, and empathy, and the impact his loss has had on all who knew him.
While no verdict can lessen the grief experienced by Jason’s family, the findings represent an important step toward truth, accountability, and learning. The Weir family hope that this outcome will prompt the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust and the wider prison system to reflect on the shortcomings identified and implement changes to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Solicitor Jack Murphy of McIvor Farrell Solicitors, who represented the Weir family, said:
“This verdict represents a significant and long-awaited moment for Jason’s family, who have spent nearly four years seeking the truth about how he was treated while in custody. The jury’s conclusions leave no doubt that errors and omissions contributed to his death. Jason was not just another inmate, he was a father, son, and brother who was deeply loved. We hope that the lessons learned from his case will lead to meaningful improvements in prison healthcare and mental health support.”
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Counsel Dan O’Muirigh BL, Coroner Toal, and the jury for their careful and thorough consideration of the evidence.
For further details please see attached related media:
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/jury-finds-health-trust-made-errors-which-contributed-to-killer-taking-his-own-life-in-ni-prison/a1585767222.html
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/he-wasnt-just-another-statistic-family-welcomes-verdict-that-health-trust-errors-contributed-to-prisoners-death/a864331117.html
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/he-wasnt-normal-and-i-knew-something-was-wrong-killer-jimmy-seales-breaks-down-over-sons-death-in-prison/a515879818.html
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/courts/murderer-found-dead-in-his-prison-cell-had-romantic-delusions-about-mental-health-worker/a452138097.html
- https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/hospital-referral-for-convicted-killer-who-took-own-life-in-jail-should-have-been-followed-up-sooner-ombudsman-finds/a1994126610.html
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