The family of man who died in Garda custody after apparently attempting to hang himself has said that when an inquest into his death concludes, evidence yet to be heard will demand a public independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Speaking outside Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday, the family of Terence Wheelock (20) from Summerhill, Dublin, showed photographs that depict extensive bruising to his arms, shins, knees, elbows and legs.
The photographs were taken by Dr Florence Grehan, director of clinical photography at Dublin's Mater hospital, the day after Mr Wheelock was admitted to the hospital after he was found unconscious in a cell at Store Street Garda station last June after he apparently attempted to hang himself with a cord from his tracksuit bottoms.
The photographs also show a cut on Mr Wheelock's lower back as well as smaller abrasions and cuts on his arms and hands. A single ligature mark on his neck is also pictured. Mr Wheelock never regained consciousness and died at the hospital three and a half months later on September 16th, 2005. His family has maintained that the circumstances of his death were different and that he was mistreated while in a cell.
The inquest was adjourned in November so that State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy could view the photographs, some of which are said to depict extensive blood and vomit staining on his clothing.
A brief hearing of the inquest yesterday heard that Prof Cassidy is still examining the photographs and has yet to submit another report based on their relevance. "My understanding is that Prof Cassidy has requested sharper photographs. I'm hopeful we'll have her report well in time for the resumed hearing," coroner Dr Brian Farrell said. The inquest will resume on May 29th and the photographer at the Mater may give evidence, the court heard.
Michael Norton, forensic scientist at Garda headquarters who examined Mr Wheelock's clothes, previously told the inquest there were bloodstains on some of his undergarments. Over the course of the hearing, no garda who dealt with Mr Wheelock during his two and a half hours in custody before being discovered unconscious mentioned blood or vomit on his clothes. Seán Gillane, barrister for the Wheelock family, told the inquest yesterday that their independent forensic experts' analysis of Mr Wheelock's clothing and examination of hospital photographs should be completed within two weeks.
Outside court, Larry Wheelock said the family was relieved his brother's inquest was to resume in full in May. "This is our 15th trip to the coroner's court. When these pictures and evidence about the blood and vomit on his clothes as well as injuries to his body is heard in court there will have to be an independent inquiry into Terence's death."