Death inquiry refused (From This Is Local London)

Death inquiry refused

2:02pm Thursday 10th November 2005 in

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The mother of a young man who died in mysterious circumstances on a German autobahn two years ago has criticised the Foreign Office, after a re-investigation into his death was refused.

The German authorities maintained that 22-year-old Jeremiah Duggan, from Golders Green, committed suicide. But his mother, Erica Duggan, believes he died in suspicious circumstances.

Half an hour before his body was found by the side of the road after being hit by three cars he called his mother from a phone box saying he feared for his life. Jeremiah, who was Jewish, had been attending a conference of far-right organisation the LaRouche Youth Movement. His mother said he had believed it was an anti-war conference.

An inquest at Hornsey Coroners' Court in 2003 refused to accept a verdict of suicide. Mrs Duggan then set out to find out what exactly happened to her son, but said that constant hurdles have prevented her from getting the information she is entitled to.

The situation, she said, has been exacerbated by the lack of any support from the Foreign Office, which this week refused to request the German authorities to reopen her son's case.

She said it showed that all British subjects who travel abroad may die or be murdered and the Foreign Office would not wish to support the desire of any person to get answers'.

In a letter this week, Paul Welsh, from the Foreign Office, wrote: "Our position has not changed. Any new evidence is a matter for Mrs Duggan's lawyers and the legal process in Germany."

Mrs Duggan said that despite support from Dr Rudi Vis, MP for Finchley and Golders Green, and other parliamentarians, all doors remain closed'.

She added: "To get a new inquest involves expensive judicial review, for which death abroad is not covered by legal aid, preventing the family being able to afford justice. The coroner, who has closed the case after hearing there were no witness statements, will not reopen it."

Despite requesting information from the German authorities, Mrs Duggan said that information has not been forthcoming, but added that she would continue her battle for justice.

u Friends of Mr Duggan have organised a special comedy night followed by dancing and live music on Sunday at 8pm. The event will be held at The Garden, Upper Street, Islington, to raise funds to enable the family to continue their investigations.

Visit www.justiceforjeremiah.com for more details.