asked the Minister for Justice if an inquest was held into the death by hanging of an inmate at a garda station in Ballymun, and, if so, the findings of this inquiry, and if an internal inquiry was held by the Garda.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Death of Prisoner.
23.
A coroner's inquest, with a jury, was held into the death by hanging on 22 August 1979 of a man who had been detained in Ballymun Garda Station. The verdict returned by the jury was that the man died from cerebral anoxia, due to suspension by the neck, self enacted at the Garda station. The jury added that they regarded the death as suicide.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the circumstances of the death were fully investigated in accordance with normal practice. As a result of the investigation they were satisfied that there was no breach of Garda regulations and that no blame could be attached to any of their members in connection with the death. Accordingly, the question of holding any further internal inquiry did not arise.
Can the Minister say if there are periodic inspections of a cell in which a prisioner is held and, if so, at what intervals these inspections take place? Is the Minister satisfied that the prerequisites for the sort of tragic event that occurred in this case—presumably a piece of rope—would normally be removed from the cells as is the case in mental hospitals? Is the Minister satisfied that the proper kind of supervision is exercised especially in the early days of imprisonment?
I understand that the person in question was arrested late in the evening, at about 9.45 p.m., and taken to the station and that the gardaí there arranged a visit to him that night by a friend and gave him also the facility of making a trunk telephone call to a relative. There is no suggestion that the man was ill-treated in any way or that he was treated with anything but courtesy. In fairness I should say that neither is there any suggestion of his having misbehaved in any way at the station. I understand that his relatives were represented legally at the inquest. His wife was present at the inquest along with those who had been in his company shortly before his arrest. These people gave evidence and evidence was given also by the various gardaí, including all those members who had any contact with the man from the time of his arrest until he was found hanged. The solicitor for the relatives asked a number of questions which were answered apparently to his satisfaction. A full account of all the circumstances was given, therefore, to the jury by way of sworn evidence. I have not got details of when people actually spoke to the man but that information can be obtained and I shall forward it to the Deputy.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.