Deaths in Custody: Helping to Establish the First Database in Ireland

A recent University of Limerick research project has attempted to draw together guidelines for the first database of deaths in custody in Ireland.

Led by Professor Shane Kilcommins and Dr Eimear Spain, 10 4th-year law students – Roisin Cahill, Blathnaid Christian O Shea, Maire Ciepierski , Caoilinn Doran, Cillian Flavin, Niall Foley, Michelle Kavanagh, Luke Mulcahy, Rachel O’Carroll and Stephen Strauss-Walsh – conducted a literature review of other common law jurisdictions to compile a means of designing a database in line with international best practice.

The Report draws together these findings and offers a concise overview of the current procedures for the investigation of deaths in custody, as well as an overview of literature on deaths in custody. The Report itself has been presented to the Inspector of Prisons, Judge Michael Reilly, and is expected to be presented to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald.