A 36-year-old man, who had been driving a van just after midnight on Wednesday January 23, 2001, was arrested by police following a traffic accident.
The man was taken to a local police station where he was questioned about a number of alleged traffic offences before being released (we have not identified the police station in this account in order to avoid further distress to the relatives and friends of the deceased). More than an hour after his release, the man's body was found in the rear of the van, hanging by a rope which had been fastened around his neck. RUC officers tried unsuccessfully to revive him.
During the investigation, Police Ombudsman investigators recovered and analysed CCTV footage of the scene of the incident. This revealed that, apart from the deceased, no one had gone to the van from the time the man was taken there until the time his body was found.
Outcome of investigation:
The Police Ombudsman's Office carried out a thorough investigation into the death and uncovered no evidence of any wrongdoing by police officers.
Police Ombudsman, Mrs Nuala O'Loan, said: "Those officers who came in contact with the man prior to his death acted in a proper manner. The officers and a local paramedic team also tried to resuscitate him, but sadly this was to no avail.
"I would like to offer my condolences to the family of the man who died. My thoughts are also with the RUC officers who did all they could to help the man both before and after his death," said Mrs O'Loan.