§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether there has been an internal enquiry into the causes of the death of Mr. Francis McDonnell in Her Majesty's Prison Maghaberry on 30 March 1996; if so, with what result; and, if not, whether one will be held and, if not, why not. [HL3691]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office (Lord Dubs)The death of any person in prison custody in Northern Ireland is the subject of an investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary, followed by an inquiry by HM Coroner into the cause of death. The police conducted an investigation into the circumstances of the death of Mr. Francis McDonnell and prepared a report for HM Coroner. The timing of the inquest, which will enter into official records the inquest jury's findings on the cause of death, is entirely a matter for HM Coroner.