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David Dungay's family demand justice

Family and supporters of an Aboriginal man who died in custody have marched through Sydney demanding justice.

Family members and supporters of David Dungay
The distraught family of an Aboriginal man who died in a NSW prison are demanding justice. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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The distraught family of an Aboriginal man who died in a NSW prison a year ago are demanding answers.

Leetona Dungay's diabetic son David, 26, died at the end of December 2015 at Long Bay Prison Hospital just three weeks before his release on parole.

Ms Dungay was flanked by dozens of family and supporters as she marched on the Sydney offices of the Department of Corrective Services on Thursday.

"The Aboriginal people of Australia need to take a stand ... because there's too many mothers like me who have lost their sons," Ms Dungay told those gathered.

"The people who did this to my son are going to be held accountable."

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Ms Dungay said her son died in the prison hospital soon after being restrained by a group of guards after he refused to stop eating a biscuit for his blood sugar levels.

A coroner will investigate Mr Dungay's death.

"I know the coroner is going to find out the truth and the people who did this to David are going to be brought to justice," Ms Dungay said.

But the family's lawyer, Duncan Fine, said the matter was progressing incredibly slowly with a brief of evidence filed only last week.

"I call upon the NSW government to expedite this matter, to get this matter in front of a coroner's court as quickly as possible so that we can get justice," Mr Fine told the rally.

"What we need is to find out the truth, to find out exactly what happened on that night, and then hold people accountable."

David Dungay's older brother Ernie said the family was desperate for his spirit to rest in peace.

"We're going through pain here. Once we get answers and justice for my little brother, we might be able to rest," he said.

Paul Silva, David Dungay's nephew, said his family was suffering through unimaginable heartache.

"He did the time with less than three weeks to go but he came out in a body bag," he said.


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