Mother buries 4 children within 7 years

A MOTHER who has buried four of her children in just seven years has spoken of her continuing heartbreak.

Bridget Gavin told Dublin City Coroner’s Court she had “no choice but to cope” with the passing of her children due to heroin addiction.

The Dublin woman revealed how she now only had one child left.

“My daughter died from an overdose, my sons died from complications relating to the drug, as did my other daughter.”

Ms Gavin also told the court all four children — Patrice, Natasha, Sean and James — died between the ages of 21 and 29.

Speaking at the inquest into James’s death, she revealed her continuing heartbreak.

“This is the fourth time I’ve been to the coroner’s court in the last seven years.”

The 28-year-old from Reuben Walk, Rialto, Dublin 8, died at St James’s Hospital on February 16 of HIV complications.

The inquest heard James had started using drugs when he was 15 and had contracted HIV from intravenous drug use.

Giving a verdict of death by misadventure, Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell said words failed him in trying to express his condolences.

“I don’t know how you can come to terms with dealing with losing four children,” he said.

“I hope and pray you can. This is a profound tragedy. It reflects the devastating effects drugs, particularly heroin, can have on families.”

The coroner said the unfortunate circumstances of a lifestyle problem with heroin had led to James’s death, even though he stopped using drugs five years ago.

“We’re having more and more inquests of people dying from drug-related infections they picked up when they were younger.”