McDowell reiterates refusal to intervene in Rossiter case

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has reiterated that he has no power to get involved in an internal DPP inquiry in relation to the Brian Rossiter affair.

The Director of Public Prosecutions is investigating how manslaughter charges were laid against a 25-year-old man in connection with the death of the teenager.

Brian Rossiter died after he was found unconscious in a garda cell in Clonmel three years ago.

Noel Hannigan, from Colleen's Close in Clonmel, was subsequently charged with manslaughter and assault causing serious harm in connection with the case, but it has now emerged that the DPP did not authorise the charges.

Fine Gael has demanded that Mr McDowell explain how this could happen, but the minister insisted today that he had no power to do so.

"That is a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions and . . . It would be constitutionally wrong for me to start interfering in his business," the minister said.

"There's an absolute rule in Irish law that the conduct of prosecutions is above and outside the political process."