The North's Independent Commission for Police Complaints (ICPC) has been called to investigate the death of a Belfast traveller who became ill while in RUC custody. Mr Jim Stokes (31), of the Monagh bypass travellers' camp in west Belfast, died at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday. Police said Mr Stokes attended the hospital for treatment on Sunday, but after he became violent he was arrested and taken to Grosvenor Road station. He became seriously ill at the station, according to the RUC. Officers tried to resuscitate him before he was rushed back to hospital. Family members said he was initially taken to the hospital after suffering an epileptic fit.
The RUC chief constable, Mr Ronnie Flanagan, has asked the ICPC to investigate the circumstances of Mr Stokes's death.