THE FATHER OF a Northern Irishman who died while on holiday in Ibiza says that a change in the law would be a fitting legacy for his son.
Alan Drennan Snr’s son Alan (21) from Newtownabbey was found dead in his hotel room on the Spanish island on Sunday 19 July.
He was part of a group of 12 people who travelled to the island the day before. His friends have raised claims that he was assaulted by Spanish police in the hours before his death.
Alan was laid to rest at the start of the month but results from a second post-mortem are still unknown. Today, Alan Drennan Snr said that he hoped that young people going abroad will stay safe.
“I want to thank the public for the enormous support shown to my family over the last few weeks since Alan’s death.
“I would like to raise awareness of the fact that the Court of Appeal of Northern Ireland recommended in 2009 that legislation should be introduced to give the Coroner in Northern Ireland the power to investigate deaths that occur outside Northern Ireland.
If Alan’s death helps to bring about a change in the law that helps other families in our situation then that would be the legacy we wish for our son.
“We await the outcome of the second post-mortem but whatever the result it will not bring our Alan back. I want to make sure that what happened to Alan will not happen to other young people who go abroad on holiday.
“I want to stress to young people to look after themselves when they go abroad and to avoid making themselves vulnerable.”
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