Dail Protest: families call for inquiry into sons' deaths after being detained

Gardaí have said they will not reopen an investigation into the death of a young man who died after being arrested, despite pleas from his family.

The family of John Maloney jnr (18), who died in 2003 after being detained in Rathfarnham Garda station, Dublin, had called for an inquiry into his death. Mr Maloney was found unconscious less than an hour after his release and died 11 days later in hospital. An inquest into his death returned an open verdict.

The family protested outside the Dáil yesterday with the family of Terence Wheelock (20), who died in September 2005, three months after he was found unconscious in a cell in Store Street Garda station in Dublin.

Both families have called on the Government to set up investigations into the two deaths. A Garda spokesman said there was an inquiry into the death of John Maloney jnr which found all procedures had been followed and there was no need for a further inquiry.

Labour spokesman for justice Joe Costello said he would ask the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, to meet with both families.