THE Garda has launched an inquiry into how a Limerick man, charged at the Special Criminal Court yesterday with IRA membership and firearms offences, suffered injuries to his body before at Portlaoise Prison yesterday evening.
Late last night the Department of Justice issued a statement confirming Mr Jeremiah Sheehy (35) had suffered injuries.
Mr Sheehy from Rathkeale, Co Limerick, immediately complained of injuries on arrival at the jail at 6.30 p.m.
He was examined at the reception area of the high security.
It is understood that he suffered bruising to the body.
hours later he was brought to Portlaoise General Hospital for further examination. He was discharged and brought back to the prison at 10.45 p.m.
In its statement, the Department said the Garda had been notified and were investigating the matter.
However, the Garda Press Office was unaware of the incident and had not been informed by the Department of Justice of the statement it issued to the media shortly before 11.30 p.m.
It was not stated where Mr Sheehy was held after the Special Criminal Court hearing yesterday morning.
There is no record of him being held in custody in the Bridewell Garda station, near the court. He may have been kept in holding cells in Green Street before being taken in a Garda van to Portlaoise.
Mr Sheehy showed no signs of bruising in court.
The statement issued by the Department of Justice stated "Jeremiah Sheehy committed to Portlaoise Prison at 6.30 p.m. this evening, on charges of firearms offences and IRA membership, immediately complained on reception at the prison that he had injuries to his body.
"He was medically examined in the reception area and found to have some injuries.
"The prisoner was taken to Portlaoise General Hospital at 9.30 p.m. approximately for further examination. The prisoner was examined and was discharged back to the prison at 10.45 p.m. tonight June 11th.
"The gardai have been notified and are investigating the matter."