<p>
	Garda&iacute; and Prison Service officials are investigating how an inmate with a history of violent behaviour obtained a knife before fatally stabbing another prisoner.</p>
<p>
	Graham Johnson (41) suffered a fatal stab wound to his chest, and a minor slash wound to his throat, before prison staff were able to separate the two men at 5pm on Saturday in Cork Prison.</p>
<p>
	Mr Johnson was subjected to the assault after a minor disagreement earlier about a TV remote control.</p>
<p>
	Last night, prison sources told the Irish Independent that both men had been working in the kitchen when the row broke out.</p>
<p>
	&quot;There is a television in the kitchen area - we understand a fight broke out over what channel the lads wanted to watch while working.</p>
<p>
	&quot;Both of these guys would have been considered trusted inmates and would have been given a job in the kitchen as a result. It is a very sought after position. A kitchen knife was the weapon used.&quot;</p>
<p>
	Tragically, the victim - who was serving a four-year sentence for theft - was scheduled to be released in just four weeks.</p>
<p>
	Johnson, who was from Bandon in west Cork, had told prison officials he planned to rebuild his life having received help for a serious gambling problem while in custody.</p>
<p>
	He was described by prison sources as &quot;a model prisoner&quot; and someone who &quot;wouldn&#39;t hurt a fly&quot;.</p>
<p>
	The incident, which occurred near the prison kitchens, was stopped by prison staff, but not before the man had sustained critical injuries. No prison officers were injured.</p>
<p>
	The entire incident lasted only a matter of seconds.</p>
<p>
	Emergency medical treatment was provided for the injured inmate at the scene. However, he died before he could be transferred by ambulance to Cork University Hospital (CUH).</p>
<p>
	Johnson suffered a significant chest injury as well as major blood loss. A full post-mortem examination was scheduled to be carried out last night at CUH by the State Pathologist.</p>
<p>
	The other inmate suspected of being involved in the attack, a man in his early 30s, has been moved to a secure holding cell. He has a history of violence and is serving a sentence for a serious assault. One of his previous offences included an assault with a weapon.</p>
<p>
	The man, who is from the south-east, is described as being extremely volatile.</p>
<p>
	A number of other inmates witnessed the fatal attack and were said to be deeply shocked.</p>
<p>
	Johnson received a prison sentence in November 2011 from Cork Circuit Criminal Court for a series of thefts related to personal gambling problems.</p>
<p>
	He was a chronic gambler whose addiction issues began when he was aged just 14 years.</p>
<p>
	He was sentenced to five years, with the final 12 months suspended, after he pleaded guilty to stealing more than &euro;19,000. Johnson stole &euro;1,620 in cash, &euro;1,500 in gold jewellery and &euro;1,500 in cheques from a Mallow goldsmiths in April 2011. He also pleaded guilty to stealing &euro;3,000 in cash and &euro;12,000 from a development firm in west Cork where he was working. The latter incidents occurred in 2007.</p>
<p>
	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/investigation-into-how-violent-inmate-got-knife-used-in-fatal-prison-stabbing-31230326.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/investigation-into-how-violent-inmate-got-knife-used-in-fatal-prison-stabbing-31230326.html</a></p>
