Spain death probe ‘to be reopened’

A REPRESENTATIVE of the Spanish government has told Irish MEPs the investigation into the death of an Irish holidaymaker two years ago in Gran Canaria will be reopened.

The undertaking was given yesterday when a delegation of Irish MEPs raised the issue with an official from the Spanish government.

Daniel O’Callaghan, aged 24, was found unconscious in a laneway in Gran Canaria in 2003. He died 17 days later from serious head injuries. Concerns have since been raised about the handling of the case by Spanish police, amid allegations they failed to follow proper procedures.

The Oireachtas Committee on European Affairs said it intends to discuss the matter with Spain’s ambassador to Ireland.

Spanish police made “little or no effort” to investigate the suspicious death, Justice Minister Michael McDowell has said.

The family of Mr O’Callaghan, a shop manager from Rathmines in Dublin, believe he was the victim of an assault, but are deeply unhappy with the investigation conducted by local police.

Yesterday, Mr McDowell told the committee that the police in Gran Canaria had failed to cordon off the scene for forensic examination, to seek witnesses or to examine the man’s clothes.

The police later declared Mr O’Callaghan had died of an “accidental fall”. But many basic inquiries were “simply not made”, Mr McDowell said.

Gardaí who travelled to Gran Canaria to make inquiries found a number of potential witnesses, he said. Mr O’Callaghan’s family told the committee they wanted any review of the case to be conducted by a senior Spanish police officer. His mother, Dr Maeve Pomeroy, also said the family would welcome more assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs.