HC Deb 08 February 1980 vol 978 cc383-4W
Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in the Official Report the names of all persons who have died whilst in police custody since 1970, the police station where they died, the date of their death, and the cause of death as stated on the death certificate.

Mr. Humphrey Atkins

[pursuant to his reply, 15 January 1980; c. 724]: A further search of police records shows that there have been three other deaths in police custody in Northern Ireland since 1970:

  1. (a) On 15 February 1973, Arthur Joseph O'Neill, having been brought to Donegal Pass police station, Belfast from Manchester by officers of the Drugs Squad, subsequently died in hospital from barbiturate poisoning.
  2. (b) On 15 October 1977, William McCrory having been brought to Town Hall Street police station, Belfast charged with disorderly behavious and assault, subsequently collapsed and died of heart failure.
  3. (c) On 24 February 1979, Hugh Patrick McKeown was found and brought to Antrim police station, where he subsequently died of alcoholic poisoning.