A father of two who claims to have been on hunger strike since September 10th over alleged mistreatment by State agencies says he may stop taking liquids from tomorrow unless his case is fully investigated.
Mr Frank Collins (55) of Ballinspittle, Co Cork begins his 70th day of protest tomorrow - apparently having survived until now on only water and Diet 7Up.
"I'm very tired," he declared, speaking from his bed in the back of a caravan that has been parked since the protest began opposite the parish church in his home village.
"Tuesday will be 70 days. I was prepared to go that far. But now I'm going to consider going on hunger and thirst strike. My life is only being played with."
Labour's justice spokesman Mr Joe Costello raised the case in the Dáil last week, citing Mr Collins's complaints, which related in part to his prosecution in 1996 for a series of road traffic offences.
Mr Costello noted fines against Mr Collins were mitigated to €500, adding "the offences are not serious in comparison with the danger of a man dying".
Mr Costello added: "The man feels aggrieved that his complaints, particularly regarding Garda treatment and harassment allegations he made, have not been dealt with seriously or in a satisfactory manner by the Garda Complaints Board.
The TD said he was also particularly aggrieved that an investigation was instigated against him for an alleged offence.
"He has the following obsession at this point in time, that he has not received justice, no proper investigation took place, he is being harassed by the Garda, and he requires something substantial before he can come off the hunger strike."
Mr Costello said the "ideal solution" would be for the Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, to intervene in the matter. "Failing that, it seems he is determined to remain on hunger strike unless there is some commitment to an independent inquiry."
The Minister said he would be "prepared personally" to consider any points brought to his attention but, because of separation of powers, "I cannot commit to more than that".
Mr McDowell said he did not accept the accuracy of Mr Costello's "pen sketch", noting a previous hunger strike by Mr Collins ended when a Garda assistant commissioner undertook to inquire into the concerns that were central to his discontent.
"The inquiry, into wide-ranging allegations against many serving and retired members of the Garda Síochána, as well as staff and officials of Cork County Council, members of the legal profession and members of the Judiciary in Cork, concluded that there was no credible evidence to support and sustain his allegations," Mr McDowell said.
A spokesman for the Minister yesterday renewed Mr McDowell's call for anyone with influence over Mr Collins to encourage him to come off the hunger strike.
The spokesman noted the Bill to establish an independent Garda Inspectorate would be published before Christmas and the new agency would be established next year.
But Mr Collins said: "The Inspector is not there now. So that does not come into it."
A spokesman for the Garda said it was unable to comment on the case other than saying complaints against the force could be made to the Garda Complaints Board.
Mr Collins admitted it was a "desperate thing" to go on hunger strike. But he denied engaging in "emotional blackmail . . . because I have done everything possible up to now."
