Garda inquiry into prison death of Offaly man nears completion

by Seán McCárthaigh

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, according to gardaí.

An inquest at Dublin District Coroner’s Court this week into the death of Offaly man, Ivan Rosney, heard the Garda inquiry in the case was at “an advanced stage.”

Mr Rosney (37), a father-of-four from Ferbane, Co Offaly, died on September 28, 2020 after becoming unwell after being restrained by several prison officers.

Mr Rosney, 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 about how Ivan died.

“We need closure on this and we also hope to find out the truth,” his father Des said.

Separate investigations into Mr Rosney’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 spokesperson for the IPS said it did not comment on individual cases.