Delayed report on 2006 prison death ‘by end of year’

The report of a seven-year inquiry into the savage death of a prisoner, which has been dogged by delays and obstacles, will be sent to Justice Minister Alan Shatter by the end of the year.

The State commission was set up following outrage at the death of Gary Douche in Mountjoy Prison at the hands of Stephen Egan in Aug 2006. The probe has continued despite its chairwoman, Gráinne McMorrow SC, not being paid by the Department of Justice for three years, between Jan 2010 and Jan 2013.

Ms McMorrow got an interim, partial payment in January, but is still owed the bulk of her salary and has not been paid since.