Brian Rossiter inquiry moves to Clonmel

An inquiry set up by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell into the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy who fell unconscious while…

An inquiry set up by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell into the death of a 14-year-old schoolboy who fell unconscious while in Garda custody in Clonmel was moved to the boy's town to hear evidence.

The decision yesterday by Hugh Hartnett SC to move the inquiry into the arrest and detention of Brian Rossiter to Clonmel from Dublin was taken to facilitate local witnesses who had not travelled to Dublin to give evidence.

Three witnesses gave evidence yesterday at Clonmel courthouse, and it is understood another three are expected to give evidence today before the inquiry returns to Dublin.

The inquiry began hearing evidence on December 5th, 2005, and is expected to continue taking testimony for some months.

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Last month an inquest into the teenager's death at Cork City Coroner's Court was adjourned after it was told that the inquiry by Mr Hartnett is expected to run until mid-July.

Brian Rossiter was found unconscious in a cell at Clonmel Garda station on September 11th, 2002, following his arrest at around 9.30pm on the previous night on suspicion of having committed a public order offence. He was taken to St Joseph's Hospital in Clonmel but moved to Cork University Hospital where he died on September 13th.

A postmortem by State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy revealed he died of head injuries due to blunt force trauma.