Wheelock family to bring in own experts

THE family of a young man who died after an incident in a garda cell are to be allowed bring their own forensic experts from Britain to examine his clothing and personal effects.

They also received last-minute notification at Dublin City Coroner’s Court yesterday that the State is willing to grant them financial assistance towards their mounting legal fees.

Terence Wheelock, 20, from Summerhill, Dublin, died in hospital three months after he was found unconscious in Store Street Garda Station last June. His family reject garda accounts that he tried to hang himself.

They have been in a protracted battle with the State to retrieve his personal belongings, including a cord from his tracksuit trousers which it is claimed he used as a ligature.

The family wanted the State to hand over the items so they could send them to Britain for analysis but their barrister, Sean Gillane, told the Coroner’s Court a middle ground had been reached, with the State offering to allow outside experts access to the items at the State Forensic Laboratory in Dublin.

Mr Gillane said his clients were happy with that arrangement and were anxious that it be carried out as soon as possible.

Coroner Dr Brian Farrell said given the developments, it would be necessary to adjourn the case further as it was not possible to set a date for a full hearing. He put the matter back to April 6.