Report on Rossiter post-custody death due in weeks
Cork Coroner’s Court was told that the findings of the sworn inquiry into what exactly happened to Brian Rossiter could be available in January.
Brian was found unconscious in a cell in Clonmel Garda Station on the morning of September 11, 2002.
He had been arrested the previous night for a suspected public order offence. He died at Cork University Hospital on September 13.
The inquest into Brian’s death was further adjourned yesterday. It was previously adjourned because criminal proceedings linked to the case were under way.
Noel Hannigan, a 26-year-old father of two, from Cooleens Close, Cashel Road, Clonmel, was jailed on November 6 for two-and-a-half years after he admitted head-butting Brian four or five times during an unprovoked assault on September 9, 2002.
Cian O’Carroll, solicitor for Brian Rossiter’s parents, Pat and Siobhán, stressed in court yesterday that there was no link between theassault and Brian’s death.
He asked coroner Dr Myra Cullinane if she could supply a list of inquest witnesses. He said the family was hopeful that it would be possible to agree which witnesses could give evidence by deposition.
Dr Cullinane said the calling of witnesses was at the discretion of the coroner. She adjourned the inquest for mention until January 25 to await completion of the inquiry.
The Government appointed senior counsel Hugh Hartnett to carry out a sworn inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Brian’s arrest and detention.
The inquiry began hearing evidence from its first witness on December 5, 2005, and took its last sworn testimony on September 11, 2006.
More than 100 witnesses gave evidence to the inquiry team over about 80 days of hearing.
More than 30 serving and retired gardaí testified along with 15 medical witnesses including doctors, nurses and ambulance staff involved in treating Brian afterhe was reported ill at Clonmel.
There was also evidence from Assistant State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy, as well as two forensic pathologists from Britain.
Justice Minister Michael McDowell said it is his intention to publish the report unless “there is some extraordinary reason” why he shouldn’t do so.
