The Celtic League have urged the European Prison and Police 'watchdog', the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT), to urge the Irish government to establish Independent Police Inspection and Complaints mechanisms in line with recommendation of the CPT following a visit to Ireland in 2002.

The League have cited the case of a person found unconscious in a Garda cell in Cork on Friday, the circumstances surrounding which are to be investigated by the Police themselves.

The League say they are mindful that "in Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the Isle of Man independent mechanisms are in place which enjoy public confidence and enables complaints against the police to be properly and fully investigated in an open and transparent manner".

The full text of the letter to the CPT is set out below.

"The Secretary European Committee for the Prevention of Torture & Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Council of Europe F-67075 Strasbourg Cedex France

Dear Sir,

I write in relation to the news reports about a detained person found in an unconscious state in a Garda cell in Cork, Ireland yesterday (Friday 27th April 2007).

The man, who I understand is a Russian National, was arrested in Cork city following an incident on the same day.

Gardaí said he was placed alone in a cell at Togher Garda Station, Cork at around 7.05am and just over an hour later they discovered him in an unconscious condition and with serious head injuries.

It is reported that a Garda Superintendent from outside the division has been appointed to investigate the incident.

The Celtic League are mindful of concerns expressed by the CPT in its 2002 report on Ireland and would express a concern that the recommendations in paragraph 18 of that report (reiterated in the CPTs conclusions) which urged the Irish government to "give a very high priority to establishing an inspection and complaints mechanism which is, and is seen to be, independent and impartial" have not been implemented.

The Celtic League would urge the CPT to raise the issue of an Independent Police Inspection and Complaints Mechanism with the Irish government. The League are mindful that in Scotland, Wales, N. Ireland and the Isle of Man independent mechanisms are in place which enjoy public confidence and enable complaints against the police to be properly and fully investigated in an open and transparent manner.

Yours sincerely,

J B Moffatt Director of Information"

See also Celtic News:

2038 AHERN - DEATH IN CUSTODY QUERY Nov 4, 2006

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

28/04/07

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