Fresh questions have been raised about the death of a republican in a police cell 30 years ago.

Former IRA internee Brian Maguire was the only paramilitary suspect to die in police custody during four decades of the Troubles.

The 27-year-old Lisburn man was found hanging in a cell at Castlereagh Holding Centre in May 1978. 

An inquest concluded that he had committed suicide. 

However, republicans and loyalists who were being questioned in Castlereagh at the time dispute this verdict.

They say they were the victims of torture and believe Brian was accidentally killed and the hanging was a carefully planned cover-up.

On Tuesday, previously secret British government documents from 1978 were released under the 30-year rule.

They revealed that up to 10 RUC men known as the ‘Goon Squad’ were beating prisoners at interrogation centres throughout the North.

The attacks were so bad that in 1978 – the year of Brian Maguire’s death – RUC doctors threatened to give evidence to Amnesty International and one even resigned from his position.

Politicians, priests, prison staff and solicitors also made complaints about the beatings.

Official confirmation of the activities of the ‘Goon Squad’ has led former Castlereagh torture victims to raise fresh questions about Brian Maguire’s death.

Mickey Culbert, whose torture by the RUC was investigated by Amnesty International, was one of the last men to see Brian Maguire alive. 

They passed each other in a Castlereagh corridor shortly before his death.

“I didn’t know Brian, I only met him briefly because we were being questioned in Castlereagh at the same time,” said Mickey.

“What I do know is that he died in Castlereagh and prisoners were being tortured there at the time. 

“Given that, there should be a full independent inquiry into the circumstances leading up to his death.”

The British government documents contain lengthy statements from Dr Maurice Hayes, who insisted the maltreatment of prisoners had been approved by then RUC Chief Constable Kenneth Newman.

Dr Hayes, wrote: “Dr Irwin [Castlereagh doctor] said he was alarmed at the number of prisoners showing signs of injury which could not be self-inflicted.

“These were continuing and were associated with a group of eight or 10 policemen who were consistently described to the doctors by injured prisoners and were familiarly known as the ‘Goon Squad’.

“He was convinced that these officers were maltreating prisoners under interrogation as a matter of policy approved by the Chief Constable.”

Describing Dr Irwin, Dr Hayes added: “He is a completely credible witness, concerned about his own professional standards and aware of the difficulties of the police. He is not a trouble-maker or an agitator but is concerned with the public good and with the human rights of persons in custody”.

Sinn Féin MLA Fra McCann, another victim of RUC beatings at Castlereagh, has backed calls for a public inquiry into Brian Maguire’s death.

He said that the 1978 documents prove what prisoners have been saying for years.

“There needs to be a full examination of Brian Maguire’s death and the torture that went on at Castlereagh. Thousands of people were beaten and abused there,” said Fra.