Family seeks answers over Ibiza police beating claim

The father of a mechanic who died in Ibiza has said he wants answers amid allegations his son was beaten by Spanish police hours earlier.

Friends of 21-year-old Alan Drennan claim he sustained head injuries after being beaten by officers at the airport last Saturday.

Mr Drennan, from Newtownabbey, near Belfast, was found dead in his hotel room on Sunday.

His father, Alan Drennan senior, said: “What has happened to Alan and our family is every parent’s worst nightmare, and we want to find answers not just for us but for everyone else’s child who goes abroad on holiday, and particularly to Ibiza.”

Mr Drennan flew to the Mediterranean island on Saturday with a group of friends.

His friends have said Mr Drennan alleged he was beaten by officers from the Guardia Civil after being taken into custody at the airport on Ibiza after an incident on the flight over.

The group all went out on Saturday night, but the next day Mr Drennan was found dead in his room.

There have been previous allegations of police violence by British holidaymakers visiting Ibiza.

Madden & Finucane solicitors, which is representing the Drennan family, said they were in protracted discussions with Spanish, British and Irish authorities and consular officials to ensure the “precise circumstances” of the death are “clearly established”.

The law firm said the exact cause of death is unlikely to be established for a number of months due to the timescale for the availability of the toxicology report.

“At present the family have more questions than answers and request their privacy to be respected until the full facts are clearly established,” Madden & Finucane said in a statement.

“Alan’s friends have raised a serious allegation that he was assaulted by Spanish police officers prior to his death, causing injuries to his head and upper body which were clearly visible to his friends upon his release from police detention at the airport.

“We are assisting the family in trying to establish the truth of all possible contributory factors which led to Alan’s death.

"We are in contact with Spanish and British authorities including the British Consulate in Ibiza and the PSNI, who are assisting the family. We are also in close contact with the Irish State Pathologist."

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is assisting Spanish police in its investigation of the death.

PSNI superintendent Kevin Geddes said: "We are gathering any relevant information and speaking to any potential witnesses to assist in the investigation being carried out by Spanish police."

PA