Dubliner Terence Wheelock’s younger sibling, Sammy Wheelock, indicated that the long-term campaign of the Stardust families has motivated him to pursue a public investigation into the demise of his brother. Almost two decades ago, 20-year-old Terence passed away following a spell in police custody at the Store Street Garda station.
At a demonstration this past weekend, Sammy Wheelock voiced his call for an inquiry into his brother’s unfortunate demise. He expressed empathy with the Stardust families stating that they were entitled to find closure after enduring a 43-year hardship.
The police arrested Terence Wheelock on the 2nd of June, 2005, on suspicion of his connection to an auto theft. After several hours in police custody, law enforcement officers found him lifeless in his cell with a ligature around his throat. He lost consciousness, slipped into coma, and later passed away in Mater hospital on the 16th of September.
Two years following Terence’s demise, a jury at the Dublin District Coroner’s Court ruled his death as suicide by a four-to-three majority verdict. Nevertheless, the Wheelocks have consistently questioned the verdict, calling for an independent investigation.
In 2010, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) stated that there was no tangible proof to suggest Terence had suffered any form of mistreatment whilst in holding. However, this past weekend saw Mr. Wheelock demand Justice Minister Helen McEntee to initiate an inquiry, independent of the Garda, into his brother’s unfortunate fate.
Sammy Wheelock expresses that his family has persistently sought an impartial public investigation, seeking answers and closure regarding Terence’s tragic end on the day of his controversial arrest.
The Wheelock family is urging the recently appointed Dublin City Council members to back the demand for an investigation. They are also pushing to rechristen Diamond Park – a patch of green situated near Gardiner Street, not far from where Terence was brought up on Sean O’Casey Avenue – in Terence’s memory.
A rally was organised on Saturday afternoon, participants marched from the Garden of Remembrance to Store Street Garda station. Mr Wheelock initiated interactive chants, including phrases such as “mention his name; Terence Wheelock”, and “justice required”.
Various signboards with protest slogans, including “Terence sustained an unusual number of unexplained injuries”, and “Our family demands the truth,” were exhibited by the protestors.
Ross Donnelly-Wheelock, Terence’s nephew, expressed his bewilderment at the circumstances surrounding Terence’s demise, and questioned their plausibility. He called for transparency, for responses, and for the fundamental privilege of justice in his speech.
Lynn Boylan, who has recently been re-elected as a Sinn Féin MEP, expressed her intention to bring Terence’s case before the European Parliament. She stressed on galvanising public support to facilitate an investigation, promising not to let the matter fade away.
People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Bríd Smith stressed that the demand for a public inquiry symbolises a struggle for the justice of the working class. She added how the scenario would have been different if Terence hailed from an affluent part of Dublin, such as Malahide, and had parents who were professionals or entrepreneurs.
Her party mate Paul Murphy echoed her sentiments. He referred to the Stardust families as a source of inspiration, vowing to secure justice for Terence by ensuring a public inquiry to unearth the truth.