A PSNI OFFICER HAS BEEN suspended over the death of a republican in custody last year.

A solicitor discovered John Brady, 40, of Strabane, hanged in a Derry police station on 3 October 2009.

The Northern Ireland police ombudsman Al Hutchinson has said that said there was no evidence Brady had been harassed or mistreated during his period in custody, the Guardian reports.

The ombudsman said, though, that a number of police failings gave Brady the opportunity to take his own life, and said one officer was suspended and two others would face disciplinary action over the death.

Brady, a Real IRA member, was nearing the end of a life sentence for murder when he was questioned by police in Derry about an alleged assault during his weekend parole. Brady hanged himself at the Strand Road station’s consultation room.

Brady’s family has reacted angrily to the news, the Belfast Telegraph reports. His sister said that her family still had questions regarding the death and said her brother was no suicidal.

The PSNI has released a statement saying it would be available to meet with the Brady family to answer any questions, according to the Belfast Telegraph.