The Minister for Justice will have "no choice" but to order an independent, public inquiry into the death of Terence Wheelock once evidence gathered by his family is presented at his inquest next month, a TD told a protest outside the Department of Justice yesterday.
Tony Gregory TD (Ind) told about a hundred protesters that photographs showing bruising and cuts over Mr Wheelock's body - taken in the Mater hospital where he died in 2005 - as well as reports from an independent forensic scientist and forensic pathologist, would make it impossible for Michael McDowell to refuse an inquiry.
"The only way we are going to get to the truth of what happened to Terence Wheelock is a full, independent, public inquiry," he said. "The photographs I have just seen, which show his body literally covered in bruises and injuries, make denial of an inquiry impossible."
Joe Costello TD (Labour) supported the call for an inquiry "wholeheartedly". He told the protesters he was delighted the Wheelock family had taken this stand.
"How could a young, healthy, happy, young man go into Store Street Garda station and come out with fatal injuries and die in the Mater hospital three months later? That is a death that deserves a public inquiry."
A spokesman for Mr McDowell said a public inquiry would be considered after the inquest returns a verdict.