An inquiry into disturbances at Hal Far's Lyster Barracks on February 25 has concluded that neither detention centre officers nor the police exercised excessive force in confronting the detainees and any assertion claiming such was unfounded.

The inquiry found that four stun guns were used once each and three warning shots were fired off target and in the air by a gun armed with rubber pellets during the disturbances.

During the incident, a detainee was hospitalised after losing consciousness. He was examined at Mater Dei Hospital and was discharged an hour or so later. Four other injured detainees were also taken to hospital later on that day.

Three were released since and required no further treatment and the fourth, who had a history of mental problems, was transferred to Mount Carmel Hospital for further psychiatric evaluation.

The report said that one of the detainees interviewed claimed he was dragged through the stairs of the building and that a police officer pressed his shoe against his chest.

He claimed to have suffered from chest pain. Another said he was beaten but also stated that the police were not violent. A third detainee said the tie-clips used to handcuff him were too tight and that when ordered to lie down he felt chest-pain.

Medical evidence made available to the board did not suggest that any of the detainees participating in the disturbances sustained noteworthy injuries.

It concluded that neither detention centre officers nor the police exercised excessive force in confronting the detainees and any assertion claiming such  was unfounded.

The board made a number of recommendations including the construction of new detention facilities, including a reception section dedicated exclusively to newly-arrived migrants.

The full report can be read in the pdf link below.