Inquest hears blood spotted on prisoner's face who died while being restrained in Cloverhill Prison

Kenneth Fox

An inquest into the death of a prisoner shortly after he had been physically restrained in Cloverhill Prison six years ago has heard blood was spotted on his face by a prison officer during the incident.

Ivan Rosney (36), a father of four from St Cynoc’s Terrace, Ferbane, Co Offaly, died on September 28th, 2020, at Tallaght University Hospital, where he had been brought after becoming unwell while being carried face down with a spit hood over his face in Cloverhill.

The fatal incident occurred as prison staff were attempting to return Mr Rosney to his cell after he resisted being brought to a booth on the ground floor of the prison for a court appearance via video-link

Mr Rosney had been remanded to prison a few days earlier after he was arrested following an incident in his father’s house when he became physically aggressive.

The inquest heard the deceased had a history of mental health problems, although he had not been diagnosed with any specific condition at the time of his death.

The jury of four men and four women was also informed that Mr Rosney, who was morbidly obese, was detained on D2 landing in Cloverhill, which was designated for housing vulnerable prisoners.

On the second day of the inquest at Dublin District Coroner’s Court on Wednesday, a prison officer, John Doorly, gave evidence that he noticed a small bit of blood around Mr Rosney’s nose as he was being physically restrained on the ground near a stairwell.

Mr Doorly, who was supporting the deceased’s head, said he felt something a short time later before discovering the prisoner’s face was blue and Mr Rosney was placed on the floor of D2 landing and medical assistance was sought.

Asked by counsel for the Rosney family, Gabriel Gavigan SC, if the sight of blood had not “set off a red flag,” Mr Doorly replied that it was “only a slight” bit of blood.

The prison officer claimed both prisoners and prison officers could suffer superficial cuts during struggles.

Mr Doorly said he accepted in hindsight that Mr Rosney had shown signs of distress while being restrained when he was grunting and breathing heavily.

The jury had already been shown a total of 28 minutes of CCTV footage from within Cloverhill Prison which showed Mr Rosney being escorted from his cell by two prison officers holding onto his arms at around 10.43am.

The prisoner’s first sign of resistance was recorded about two minutes later when he appeared to drop face forward to the ground in a circle area on the ground floor of the prison.

Evidence was heard that he had grabbed onto bars a short time earlier at a location not captured on camera.

The video evidence showed prison staff wearing full personal protective equipment because of the Covid-19 pandemic lifting Mr Rosney up and carrying him face down after two minutes.

He was also recorded again being on the ground a short time later at the bottom of a stairwell as he was being returned to his cell on the first floor.

CCTV footage captured him arriving on the D2 landing in Cloverhill at 10.58am when up to six prison officers were carrying him.

Evidence was heard that a prison officer had immediately commenced chest compression as several staff had noticed that his face had turned blue.

Assistant chief officer (ACO), Katherine Bogue, who was charged with arranging Mr Rosney's move for his court hearing, told the inquest that she had brought more prison officers to accompany her than normal.

Ms Bogue explained it was because there had been an incident the previous evening involving the deceased when he tried to assault someone as well as the fact that Mr Rosney was a vulnerable prisoner.

She told the coroner, Myra Cullinane, that the transfer was not considered a planned removal, as that would have required authorisation by a more senior officer.

Ms Bogue said a work training officer, Andy Byrne, took over the situation from her after Mr Rosney had become non-compliant because of his experience with control and restraint procedures.

Another ACO, Charlie Mitchell, who was present but not directly involved in the restraint of the prisoner, said Mr Rosney had been handcuffed behind his back.

Mr Mitchell said he heard someone say that the prisoner was trying to bite prison officers which had resulted in the spit hood being placed on him.

The witness said he also heard someone saying at one stage that Mr Rosney had banged his head.

Mr Mitchell said he was satisfied “at all times” with the methods of restraint being used to control the prisoner.

He added he was shocked to see Mr Rosney had become unresponsive and required medical attention.

In reply to questions from Mr Gavigan, Mr Mitchell accepted that it was not normal for prisoners to be carried in a prone position.

The inquest was adjourned and will resume on Thursday, when it is expected to conclude.