asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who died while in Garda custody otherwise than from natural causes in each of the past 10 years; if an inquest was held in each such case; and the verdict in each inquest.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that their records show that, in the last ten years, 12 persons died from causes other than natural causes while in Garda custody, or while in hospital or en route to hospital after having been in Garda custody. Inquests into ten of the 12 deaths have been completed and verdicts have been returned. Details are given in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, will be circulated with the Official Report. In one of the two remaining cases the inquest has been opened and adjourned. The inquest into the other death is to be held on 6 March 1980.

Following is the statement:

Could the Minister give any information about deaths which were adjudged to be from natural causes during the period in question? Are inquests held in these circumstances as well?

I have not that information in my brief but I will inquire into the matter and communicate with the Deputy in the course of a couple of days.