A coroner at an inquest in Limerick yesterday described the death of a young man who was found hanged in a cell at a Garda station on May 10th as "a sad and tragic loss".
The inquest was told Mr Derek Cooper (23), O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, had been arrested under the Public Order Act and taken to Roxboro Garda Station, where he was placed in a cell. Garda witnesses told the coroner, Dr Timothy Casey, and a jury that he was abusive both during his arrest and at the station.
The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence of the State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, who said death was caused by asphyxia due to suspension or hanging. The blood-alcohol level of the man was 237 mg, about 3.5 times that permitted a driver.