Garda inquiry into death of inmate after restraint is ‘near completion’
20th March 2022
An investigation into the death of a prisoner at Cloverhill Prison 18 months ago, following an incident in which he was restrained by a number of prison officers, is near completion.
An inquest at Dublin District Coroner’s Court about the death of Offaly man Ivan Rosney heard last week that the garda inquiry in the case was at “an advanced stage”.
Mr Rosney (37), from Ferbane, Co Offaly, died on September 28, 2020, after becoming unwell, following his being restrained by several prison officers.
The father of four, who had a history of mental health issues, had been committed to prison a few days earlier for breaching a barring order after becoming physically aggressive with his father.
Inspector Niamh Molloy told the court that a file on the circumstances surrounding Mr Rosney’s death would be forwarded to the DPP in the next few months. It is expected the coroner will be informed, when the case comes back before the court in August, if any prison staff are to face a criminal prosecution in relation to Mr Rosney’s death.
News of progress in the investigation has been welcomed by the Rosney family, who claim they have many questions which need to be answered. Mr Rosney’s father, Des Rosney, said he was aware that gardaí had sent CCTV footage of the incident from inside Cloverhill to Scotland for analysis.
Mr Rosney Sr said he believed that his son had been carried in a prone condition face-down “like a crucifix”.
“Being carried in that manner can place a strain on a person’s heart. Ivan was as healthy as a wild duck even though he was overweight which meant his heart would be placed under stress if he was being held face down,” Mr Rosney Sr said.
The family also alleged there may have been a breach of prison policy in relation to the incident where Ivan was restrained. However, it is unclear if such a breach would constitute a criminal offence.
“It seems to me to be clear that something was not right,” Mr Rosney Sr.
He explained his son had never been diagnosed with a specific condition, but had suffered mental health issues since his early 20s. Ivan’s family said Ivan had also spent time in Cloverhill prior to his last committal, so that the prison authorities should have been aware of his mental health issues.
“We need closure on this and we also hope to find out the truth,” Mr Rosney Sr.
Separate investigations into Ivan’s death, like all deaths in custody, are being carried out by the Irish Prison Service, An Garda Síochána and the Inspector of Prisons, while the cause of death will be determined by the coroner.
A spokesman for the prison service said it did not comment on individual prisoner cases.