AN Irvine killer found dead in his jail cell was not failed by the prison service, a sheriff has ruled.

Wife-killer Allan Tannahill was found dead in his Kilmarnock prison cell on July 22, 2014.

He died from wounds to his neck and wrists.

The 63-year-old was serving a life sentence for murdering his wife Lorna Tannahill, 47, in the garage of their family home in Bourtreehill on February 18, 2009.

Tannahill stabbed his wife 17 times with a kitchen knife as their son and daughter watched on in horror.

The High Court in Glasgow previously heard how Lorna Tannahill told her husband that she was leaving him for a man in Tenerife.

On the day of the murder, Tannahill met with a psychiatric nurse at Ayrshire Central Hospital before returning home to discuss selling a caravan with his wife.

It was after this that Tannahill committed the horrific murder, claiming that the devil had entered him and killed his wife to save her soul.

Last week a fatal accident inquiry at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court was held to determine the facts surrounding Tannahill’s death and whether or not it could have been prevented.

The Court heard how Tannahill died between 9pm on July 21 and 6.56am on July 22.

Tannahill was said to have shown no signs which gave cause for concern that he was a suicide risk.

Presiding Sheriff Derek Livingston found that Tannahill was “generally content” with matters and made the best of his situation, attending chapel regularly and taking part in musical activity.

Tannahill could not undertake work in the prison after undergoing major heart surgery in 2011.

The court heard from seven witnesses, many of whom were prison staff members, over two days.

It was revealed that in the day prior to his death, Tannahill was involved in a minor fight with a fellow prisoner who had called him a “beast”.

Tannahill was said to have been in fear for his safety and as a result, he was kept apart from other prisoners. This was to allow prison officer, Donna McNeill, to arrange a transfer to another prison and until disciplinary issues were dealt with the following day.

When giving evidence, Ms McNeill said Tannahill was kept informed of the move and seemed “relaxed”. She recalled Tannahill thanking her for helping to arrange a transfer. She even obtained groceries from the prison canteen for Tannahill who was due to see a prison psychologist the next morning.

Upon hearing of Tannahill’s death, Ms McNeill said it was “the last thing” she expected.

During the inquiry, Sheriff Livingston voiced his concern about the prison’s Self Inflicted Death in Custody Audit Analysis and Review (SIDCAAR).

Both John Carroll, assistant director of the residential part of HMP Bowhouse, and John Mullen, residential manager at the prison, faced questions from the procurator fiscal and Sheriff Livingston.

Sheriff Livingston said he was “not particularly impressed” with the review form which did not appreciate there could be more than one correct answer. But he admitted the issues were irrelevant to the circumstances of Tannahill’s death and received assurances that the issue will be looked at.

When making his formal determination, Sheriff Livingston said: “I have heard from seven witnesses all of whom I am of the view were doing their utmost to assist the court.

“It was clear from the evidence, most of which unchallenged, that during the period of around two to three years prior to his death Mr Tannahill displayed no signs which gave cause for concern that he might be a suicide risk.

“I do not consider there were any precautions which might have prevented the death.

“There was some suggestion of past mental health problems but nothing to indicate he had ever been suicidal in the distant past let alone the much more recent. What caused Mr Tannahill to take his own life can only in this, as in many cases, be speculation.

“My overall impression was that Mr Tannahill was assisted during his time in Kilmarnock by caring and conscientious staff.

“The court expresses its condolences to Mr Tannahill’s family and also its appreciation of the dignified way in which they have conducted themselves in relation to this whole process from his death until now.”