The Dublin City coroner today said he would write to the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell in relation to the admissibility of independent forensic experts at inquests.
A hearing into the death of 20-year-old Terence Wheelock in Garda custody heard Mr McDowell wrote to the family's legal representatives querying the input independent experts can have at inquests.
The inquest heard Mr McDowell, who had on a previous occasion indicated funding would be granted to the family for an independent forensic examination into the death, was questioning its admissibility before funding would be agreed.
Mr Wheelock, from Summerhill, in Dublin, was found unconscious in a cell at Store Street Garda Station last June after apparently attempting to hang himself with a cord from his tracksuit bottoms. He was brought to the Mater Hospital but never regained consciousness and died on September 16th, 2005.
His family has questioned the circumstances of his death and claims he was mistreated while in the cell.
Sean Gillane, counsel for the Wheelock family, queried whether Coroner Dr Brian Farrell could provisionally indicate his views in relation to the admissibility of the independent forensic review.
The coroner said in his experience the evidence of independent expert witnesses was not directly admitted to court but could be used to inform counsel in questioning witnesses.
Dr Farrell said he would invite the Minister to write to the Coroner's office with any queries over independent experts and he would reply.
The inquest was adjourned until July 26th.
PA
