Wheelock death inquiry urged

Politicians have added their voice to calls for an independent inquiry into the death of 20-year-old Terence Wheelock, who died after being found unconscious in a Garda station.

Gardaí say he attempted to hang himself with a cord from his tracksuit bottoms in June of 2005. He was later taken to the Mater hospital and died three months later.

Mr Wheelock's family, however, say these allegations are untrue and insist he was mistreated in custody.

Hundreds of people gathered in support of the Wheelock family at Seán McDermott Street church on Saturday and marched to Store Street Garda station where they held a peaceful protest. Mr Wheelock's family say there is important evidence relating to how Terence was treated by gardaí before his death, along with significant information relating to blood stains on his clothes, which need to be addressed.

"We are calling on the Government once again for the establishment of a full independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Terence's death," said Terence's brother, Larry Wheelock.

A number of politicians expressed support for the family's call, including Independent TD Tony Gregory, Labour TD Joe Costello and Sinn Féin MEP Mary Lou McDonald.

A date for the resumption of an inquest into the death has been set for mid-July after calls for evidence to be submitted from an independent postmortem were rejected by the Dublin City Coroner.