asked the Minister for Justice the general supervisory regulations in operation in respect of prisoners in Garda custody, particularly where prisoners are ill or intoxicated.
Written Answers. - Persons in Garda Custody.
218.
, Limerick East): The regulations in question are contained in the Garda Síochána Code, which has always been regarded as confidential. However, they include detailed instructions in relation to the supervision of, and the provision of medical assistance for, persons who are ill. Also there are specific and detailed instructions in relation to persons who are intoxicated, with particular emphasis on the need for regular and frequent visits to cells, especially during the first few hours of detention when the risk of accident, such as suffocation, is greater. The instructions are such as should leave no member in any doubt as to his responsibilities in such situations and, if they are followed, should provide adequate safeguard against accidents, except perhaps in circumstances so unusual that it would be virtually impossible in practice to cater for them by advance instructions.
219.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of deaths that have occurred in Garda custody between 1 March 1980 and 1 March 1983.
220.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of deaths that have occurred in Garda stations, prisons, and places of detention between 1973 and 1983.
221.
asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have died in each of the last fifteen years while in custody or while serving a term of imprisonment; the causes of death where known; and the prisons or other places in which each such death occurred.
, Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 219, 220 and 221 together.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that their records show that 14 people died in Garda stations in the period since the beginning of 1973 to date. Their records also show that the number of deaths that have occurred in Garda custody between 1 March 1980 and 1 March 1983 was seven. Six of these deaths occurred in Garda stations and one took place in a hospital.
In the period since the beginning of 1970 to date, Garda records show that twenty-one persons died while in Garda custody, or while in hospital or en route to hospital after having been in Garda custody. Details are given in tabular statement 1. Information in respect of the period prior to 1970 could only be provided by the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of Garda time and effort.
In the period since the beginning of 1968 to date, 14 persons died in prisons or places of detention maintained by the Department of Justice. The details are set out in tabular statement 2.
Tabular Statement 1
|
Date |
Place of Death |
Cause of Death |
|
15 April 1975 |
Bridewell Garda Station, DMA |
Suicide by hanging |
|
10 September 1975 |
Thomastown Garda Station |
Suicide by hanging |
|
25 January 1976 |
Ballina Garda Station |
Alcoholic poisoning |
|
1 April 1977 |
Dr. Steeven's Hospital, Dublin |
Asphyxia due to inhalation of vomit |
|
9 September 1977 |
St. Laurence's Hospital Dublin |
(a) Cerebral oedema(b) Haemorrhage and laceration of the brain(c) Head injury with fractured skull |
|
4 March 1978 |
St. Laurence's Hospital, Dublin |
Natural causes |
|
19 July 1978 |
Cherry Orchard Hospital, Dublin |
Meningitis due to peningococcus. |
|
4 August 1978 |
St. Finbar's Hospital, Cork |
Coma and cardiorespiratory failure due to anoxic brain damage. |
|
8 January 1979 |
Rathmines Garda Station DMA |
Overdose of barbiturates self-administered |
|
2 April 1979 |
Rathmines Garda Station DMA |
Overdose of alcohol and barbiturates self-administered. |
|
24 July 1979 |
Monaghan County Hospital |
(a) Cerebral oedema(b) Subdued haemotoma(c) Head injury with fractured skull |
|
22 August 1979 |
Ballymun Garda Station, DMA |
Suicide by hanging |
|
19 September 1979 |
Ballybricken Garda Station, Co. Waterford |
Suicide by hanging |
|
31 December 1979 |
Athlone Garda Station |
Asphyxia due to inhalation of vomit. |
|
8 June 1980 |
Bridewell Garda Station, Cork |
Asphyxia due to regurgitation of gastric contents. |
|
22 April 1982 |
Shercock Garda Station, Co. Cavan. |
Inquest not yet held |
|
27 May 1982 |
Ennis Co. Hospital |
(a) Myocardial ischaemia(b) Coronary atheroma(c) Inhalation of gastric contents of stomach |
|
31 May 1982 |
Bridewell Garda Station, Cork |
Asphyxia due to constriction of neck by pullover |
|
31 July 1982 |
Mallow Garda Station, Co. Cork |
Heart failure |
|
9 November 1982 |
Greystones Garda Station, DMA |
Inquest stands adjourned |
|
28 February 1983 |
Ballymun Garda Station, DMA |
Inquest not yet held |
Tabular Statement 2
|
Date |
Institution |
Cause of Death |
|
5 October 1970 |
Mountjoy |
Heart attack |
|
4 August 1973 |
Mountjoy |
Suicide by hanging |
|
15 May 1975 |
St. Patrick's |
Suicide by hanging |
|
28 April 1975 |
Mountjoy |
Suicide by hanging |
|
17 March 1975 |
Portlaoise |
Accidentally shot during escape attempt |
|
1 August 1976 |
Limerick |
Suicide by hanging |
|
6 March 1978 |
Shanaganagh |
Viral pneumonia |
|
22 June 1978 |
Mountjoy |
Heart attack |
|
5 April 1980 |
Limerick |
Burned in cell — misadventure |
|
29 April 1981 |
Limerick |
Suicide by hanging |
|
30 September 1981 |
Arbour Hill |
Heart attack |
|
15 August 1981 |
Cork |
Heart attack |
|
10 September 1982 |
Mountjoy |
Suicide by hanging |
|
4 February 1983 |
Mountjoy |
Inquest not yet held |