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Hunger striker wishes 'respected' Hunger striker wishes 'respected'
(about 1 hour later)
It is lawful for a Belfast hospital to respect the wishes of a convicted rapist who is refusing food, a High Court judge has said.It is lawful for a Belfast hospital to respect the wishes of a convicted rapist who is refusing food, a High Court judge has said.
Oswald Brown has been on hunger strike for 54 days in protest against what he claims is his wrongful conviction.Oswald Brown has been on hunger strike for 54 days in protest against what he claims is his wrongful conviction.
A new ruling was made after a Belfast City Hospital psychiatrist said Brown had no identifiable mental condition.A new ruling was made after a Belfast City Hospital psychiatrist said Brown had no identifiable mental condition.
It reverses a previous judgement which said the hospital should give Brown nutrition, using force if necessary.It reverses a previous judgement which said the hospital should give Brown nutrition, using force if necessary.
He is due for release on Monday.He is due for release on Monday.
After Thursday's hearing, Belfast City Hospital Trust medical director Dr Ken Fullerton said he welcomed the legal clarification "which confirms the professional judgement of the City Hospital clinical staff".
Hospital move
On Tuesday, a judge ordered Brown should be moved from Magilligan Prison in County Londonderry to hospital.On Tuesday, a judge ordered Brown should be moved from Magilligan Prison in County Londonderry to hospital.
The judge said he had no doubt that Brown's mental judgement was impaired.The judge said he had no doubt that Brown's mental judgement was impaired.
He said it was the hospital's duty to keep him alive.He said it was the hospital's duty to keep him alive.
However, doctors went to court for clarification on the ruling, and they claimed Brown could make his own decisions.However, doctors went to court for clarification on the ruling, and they claimed Brown could make his own decisions.
Belfast City Hospital denied it was neglecting its duty of care by not feeding the man.Belfast City Hospital denied it was neglecting its duty of care by not feeding the man.
'Extreme circumstances'
It said that his medical condition was being managed appropriately, and that "his condition remains stable; his condition has in no way been jeopardised by any delay in commencing feeding".It said that his medical condition was being managed appropriately, and that "his condition remains stable; his condition has in no way been jeopardised by any delay in commencing feeding".
"Belfast City Hospital is satisfied that it has at all times acted appropriately and in the best interests of the patient," it said."Belfast City Hospital is satisfied that it has at all times acted appropriately and in the best interests of the patient," it said.
"A patient's right to refuse treatment can only be overridden in the most extreme circumstances and after careful consideration.""A patient's right to refuse treatment can only be overridden in the most extreme circumstances and after careful consideration."
Threatened to starve
The matter first came before the court last Friday when the secretary of state applied for a declaration that prison officials could lawfully abstain from giving food to Brown, who has threatened to starve to death.The matter first came before the court last Friday when the secretary of state applied for a declaration that prison officials could lawfully abstain from giving food to Brown, who has threatened to starve to death.
At his 2001 trial Brown, of Orangefield Grove, was described by the judge as an opportunist rapist who took advantage of a naive young student.At his 2001 trial Brown, of Orangefield Grove, was described by the judge as an opportunist rapist who took advantage of a naive young student.
Brown was jailed for six years on condition he serves a further two years probation on release.Brown was jailed for six years on condition he serves a further two years probation on release.