Dissident republican’s family protest at DPP meeting
The family of a dissident republican who took his own life in police custody have held a protest outside a District Policing Partnership meeting.
About 30 protestors held black flags and banners outside the meeting in the Waterside in Londonderry.
The meeting, about domestic violence, is the first since John Brady‘s death, and his sister Lorna said she felt he should have been on the agenda.
Ms Brady said she wanted to know the full circumstances of John’s death.
The Police Ombudsman is investigating the death in Strand Road police station in October.
Before the meeting got underway, Ms Brady told members of the DPP that the family was “still waiting for answers”.
“We received a letter two nights ago from the Derry DPP, signed by Elisha McLaughlin, which was in our minds an arrogant attempt to prevent this protest.
“This letter attempted inadequately to identify with the concerns we have surrounding John’s death.
“We as a family feel this letter was deeply offensive and contemptible, given that Elisha McLaughlin cold not even get the date of John’s death correct,” said Ms Brady.
The chair of the Derry DPP, Elisha McLaughlin, said she apologised to the family for the mistake.
“The intention of the Derry DPP was not to be offensive.
“We would like to offer our support to the family and we will await the outcome of the police report on this tragic death.
“We will be keeping a watch to ensure this report is both independent and impartial.
“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the Derry DPP for getting the date of John’s death wrong,” she said.
