The Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has said that all the indications were that "very serious mistakes were made" in relation to the circumstances of the killing of 21-year-old Gary Douch, who was beaten to death by another inmate in a cell at Mountjoy Prison last month.
"As far as I am concerned all the indications are that very serious mistakes were made in the manner in which it was dealt with and I am determined that the truth be established and that this never happens again," Mr McDowell said. He added that very dramatic changes had been introduced at Mountjoy to ensure that "that particular set of circumstances can never re-occur".
A spokesman for the Department of Justice said that the independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing of Mr Douch, which is being headed by a former deputy secretary of the department, was on-going.
The Minister said yesterday that Mr Douch's mother was entitled as a dependant to take a legal action if there was any breach of his constitutional or personal rights or of the State's duty in relation to him.
