Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 28 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Operations.

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

164 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 426 of 19 November 2002, his views on whether the cut throat and injuries to the legs and back suffered by a person (details supplied) while in Garda custody is consistent with the claim of the gardaí, a claim the victim strenuously denies, that this person cut their throat by repeatedly banging their head on the ground; and if he will launch a full investigation into the actions of the gardaí who were in contact with this person in Store Street Garda station in the early hours of 9 November 2002. [24085/02]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

In my reply to Question No. 426 of 19 November 2002, I stated that the person referred to was observed lying on the floor of his cell and banging his head on the floor. I neither stated nor implied that this action resulted in the injuries described by the Deputy, and no such claim has been made to me by the Garda authorities. I have nothing further to add to my previous answer.