THE DIRECTOR of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed a prosecution against a garda arising out of the arrest of a man in Dublin in 2007.
Keith Murphy (32), of no fixed abode, was discovered near Christ Church Cathedral on September 20th, 2007, and died later at St James’s Hospital.
He had been arrested earlier in the day on Thomas Street at about 2pm and was released from Kevin Street Garda station at about 3.20pm.
Commissioner with the Garda Ombudsman Commission Carmel Foley told Dublin City Coroner’s Court yesterday that the DPP has directed a prosecution against the arresting garda for a section three assault and there would be a first court appearance at the Circuit Criminal Court on September 4th.
The Garda Ombudsman Commission carried out an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr Murphy’s death.
Ms Foley requested an adjournment of the inquest into Mr Murphy’s death under section 25.2 of the Coroner’s Act 1962, which coroner Dr Brian Farrell granted.
A sister of the deceased man, Joanne Murphy, told the coroner her mother wanted to see pictures of her son.
Dr Farrell said his understanding was he did not have the power to release any documents when there was a trial pending and asked Ms Foley to contact the DPP’s office on the matter.
The coroner adjourned the inquest until December 7th for further mention.
A spokesman for the Garda Ombudsman Commission said the charges which the garda faced arose from the arrest of Mr Murphy earlier on September 20th, 2007.
He said the charges did not relate to his subsequent death.