The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is investigating the death of a man in Garda custody in Co Mayo.

The deceased, who is in his 70s, became unwell and developed breathing difficulties after he was detained by gardaí early on Monday.

Gardaí administered CPR and emergency services were called to Westport Garda station where the man was being held. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

The ombudsman commission is now investigating the incident, as is required whenever a person dies while in Garda custody.

A spokeswoman for GSOC said the State Pathologist has been informed and a postmortem is due to be carried out in Castlebar in the coming days.

“GSOC investigators are at the scene and an independent examination is underway to establish the facts of the situation,” she said.