Inquest into death of Strabane republican to begin
AN inquest into the death of a Strabane republican who took his on life whilst in police custody in Londonderry is due to begin on Monday (January 18).
40-year-old John Brady from the Drumallagh estate in the County Tyrone town was found hanged in his cell at Strand Road PSNI station in Londonderry on September 3, 2009.
In October 2010, a police officer on duty on the night of Mr Brady’s death was suspended from duty and several other officers were disciplined over the events. A report into the events surrounding the death of the Real IRA member by the Police Ombudsman found failings with the officers concerned in so much as Mr Brady was presented with the opportunity to take his own life. the report however did not find any evidence that the deceased had been harmed or mistreated.
The republican was nearing the end of a life sentence for murder when he died and was been questioned over an alleged assault in Strabane whilst on weekend parole from prison.
Mr Brady’s family insisted that he would not have taken his own life because he had just five weeks remaining of his sentence before he was due to be released. The Brady family had also called for a full investigation into the circumstances of John Brady’s death.
The inquest will begin at 9.30am in Belfast on Monday.
