Further questions on Brian Rossiter case

The revelation that the DPP was not the official who instigated the manslaughter charge against a Clonmel resident, Noel Hannigan, in connection with the death of 14 year old Brian Rossiter, raises further questions concerning the surrounding circumstances of the boys death and the Garda handling of the case.

Brian Rossiter, then aged 14, was allegedly assaulted on the evening of Sunday 8 September 2002, near his sister's home, in Queens St, Clonmel. The following day he had two black eyes and complained to his sister about headaches. Later that day and throughout the following day he appeared to be well and exhibited no signs of head injury, according to his sisters and friends, aside from the black eyes.

On the evening of Tuesday, 10 September, he was arrested and taken to the local Garda station. According to a friend arrested at the same time and an adult who was being detained in the Clonmel Garda station that same night, Brian Rossiter was assaulted by gardaí.

On the following morning, Wednesday 11 September, he was found in a coma in a Garda cell. He was kept alive for over two days on a life support machine and this was turned off on the evening of Friday 13 September 2002.

Noel Hannigan, who allegedly assaulted Brian Rossiter on the Sunday night, was subsequently charged with manslaughter, thereby conveying the impression that there was clear evidence that Brian Rossiter died from injuries he had received on the Sunday night and not from injuries he might have incurred in Garda custody on the Tuesday night. It was assumed the DPP had evidence substantiating this contention.

That it should now emerge that the DPP had no role in Noel Hannigan being charged with manslaughter raises questions concerning who was responsible for instigating this serious charge, which has now been dropped, and their motivation for instigating this charge.

Vincent Browne