Cell death team gathers evidence
originally published: 9th October 2009
all credits BBC News
A team of investigators from the Police Ombudsman’s Office is examining CCTV footage from a Londonderry PSNI station where Strabane man John Brady died. An investigation was launched on Saturday after the 40-year-old’s body was found at Strand Road station. Mr Brady, a dissident republican, was arrested the previous day after what police said was a “domestic incident”.
The team is gathering forensic and witness evidence in a bid to build an account of events leading to his death. A Police Ombudsman’s Office spokesman said the team would investigate the circumstances in which Mr Brady was arrested and his treatment and care throughout the period he was in police custody.
“Interviews of police officers who had contact with Mr Brady between the time of his arrest and death have begun,” the spokesman said. “We have also recovered all police records and documentation relating to his arrest and detention.”
The spokesman said the team was consulting with Mr Brady’s family and their solicitors “who had raised a number of issues”. “We have confirmed that the investigation will not be limited to events inside the police station but will consider any police-related issues which may have had a bearing on the tragic events of that Saturday night,” he said.
Mr Brady was jailed for killing a police officer during the Troubles, and released under the Good Friday Agreement. His licence was later revoked and he was returned to prison in November 2003.
He was on weekend leave when he was arrested.
Related Article:
Investigation launched as Brady family voice concerns
8th October 2009
