AN investigation is
underway following the death of a man in garda
custody in Buncrana in the early hours of today.
The deceased was named locally as Michael Lynch, an
unmarried man in his early 60s. He was originally
from Kinnego, outside Buncrana but had been living
in the Sliabh Sneacht housing estate within the town
bounds.
A steel-fixer by trade, he had worked for many years
in the construction industry in Britain. It is
understood he had a number of serious health
conditions and had not worked in recent times.
Local people today stressed that while Mr Lynch was
in custody at the time of his death, he was not
under arrest.
"It seems the guards were called to his home because
he was found outside and couldn't get into the
house. He was then taken to the local garda
station," said one source. "It seems the guards were
trying to help him out.”
A post mortem was carried out on Mr Lynch's body at
Letterkenny General Hospital this afternoon. The
results have not yet been made public but it
understood its findings will show that Mr Lynch died
of natural causes.
Donegal Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn confirmed
that a joint investigation by An Garda Siochana and
the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) was
launched soon after the tragic discovery.
She said officials from GSOC had travelled to
Buncrana Garda Station where they were briefed by
the superintendent on call who had been working over
the weekend.
"It will be a joint investigation until after the pm
(post mortem) results," she told Highland Radio.
Meanwhile, Buncrana mayor, Cllr Peter McLaughlin
said the town was deeply saddened by the local man’s
death.
“This is a terrible tragedy and I would like to
offer my sincere sympathies at this sad time to his
family and friends,” said the Fine Gael councillor.
A GSOC spokesman last night said: "The matter was
referred to the Garda Ombudsman by the Garda
Commissioner in accordance with Section 102 of the
Garda Siochana Act 2005. This is standard procedure
in circumstances such as these." |
