The death of Terence Wheelock – '10 years on and still no justice'

THE FAMILY and friends of Terence Wheelock marked the 10th anniversary of his death in Garda custody on Wednesday, placing flowers on the railings of Store Street Garda station in Dublin, where he was found unconscious in a cell in June 2005. He went into a coma and died at the Mater Hospital three months later, on 16 September.

One of the messages left at the Garda station from his brother Larry reads:

"10 years and still no justice. Missing you."

Terence Wheelock (20) was arrested in Dublin's north inner city on 2 June 2005 shortly after he had left his home on an errand. He was arrested along with three other individuals who had been suspected of stealing a car. Some of those men subsequently pled guilty but insisted Terence had nothing to do with the theft.

Terence was taken to Store Street Garda Station and two hours later was found unconscious in a cell. Gardaí claim the injuries he sustained were a result of a suicide attempt. It is something rejected by his family.

The next day, while Terence was in hospital, the cell he had been kept in was completely renovated and repainted rather than being preserved. There were questions raised in relation to deletions and changes made to his custody record while photos taken by a hospital photographer showed extensive bruising to his arms, legs and lower back. A Garda document filled out when he arrived in the station says the only injury Terence had was a bruise on his left forearm. His clothes were also heavily bloodstained.

His death led to large protests in Dublin with many accusing gardaí of a cover-up. The 'Justice for Terence Wheelock' campaign has been highly visible across the city.

In March 2010, a report by the Garda Ombusman raised serious failings in Garda procedures and detention arrangements but said there was 'insufficient evidence' of an assault on Terence Wheelock during his arrest and no credible evidence that he was mistreated in custody.

Terence's family are still campaigning for an Independent Public Inquiry into what happened during those few hours on 2 June 2005.

Local TD Mary Lou McDonald said:

"Unresolved cases of Garda brutality only serve to deepen the mistrust many communities feel towards those who are supposed to serve and protect them. The questions the Wheelock family seeks answers to can only be addressed through an Independent Public Inquiry."

• People stop to read messages left in memory of Terence Wheelock outside Store Street Garda Station