The family of a young Dublin man who hanged himself has told an inquest that members of the gardaí were harassing him at the time of his death and may have "pushed him over the edge".
Declan Fagan (28), Summerhill, Dublin, was discovered by his brother hanging from his attic on May 29th, 2004.
Anita Fagan told Dublin City Coroner's Court yesterday that gardaí regularly harassed her brother outside his workplace and elsewhere. "They just never let him alone, making gun signs to his head in front of his girlfriend. I am never going to get my brother back but I just want a bit of justice."
Matthew Fagan told the court that his son's personality changed completely in the weeks prior to his death after he was "charged with a robbery he had nothing to do with".
Mr Fagan said his son had discussed with him and was deeply affected by the Garda harassment. "If he was mentally unbalanced, he needed some treatment rather than mind games. It could have pushed him over the edge."
Antoinette Bollard alleged outside court last year that members of the Garda made unsolicited phone calls to her mobile phone late at night while her boyfriend was in Garda custody.
The inquest was adjourned from May 12th last year so that the Garda could investigate the family's allegations.
Coroner Dr Brian Farrell was given an extensive Garda file compiled by Sgt Walter O'Connell of Store Street Garda station addressing the family's concerns.
It stated that gardaí did not play a role in the harassment alleged. "They had acted in good faith in their roles as members of An Garda Síochána," it said.
The report also said allegations by Ms Bollard concerning "unsolicited phone calls" were "completely untrue". It added Mr Fagan was unco-operative when in Garda custody.
Matthew Fagan, who had seen the Garda report, said he "disagreed with it completely". "The Garda can say anything. My son is not here to defend himself."
Dr Farrell said he was aware of the family's concerns and would facilitate a meeting between them and the gardaí. He said to discuss matters relating to criminality was outside his court's jurisdiction. He returned a verdict of death by suicide.