Third person charged over N-bomb death probe

A third person was arrested and charged yesterday arising out of the investigation into the death of a man who had allegedly ingested a drug known as N-bomb in Cork City in January.

Harry Clifton was charged with eight counts contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act and one count of endangerment contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act.

Garda Daniel McEnery arrested Mr Clifton, aged 29, with an address at 11 St Finbarr’s Place, Proby’s Quay, Cork, and charged him with all nine counts yesterday.

The charge under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act states that on January 18 at 11 St Finbarr’s Place, he intentionally or recklessly engaged in conduct, that he allegedly sold N-bomb to another person purporting the drug to be less potent than 2CB, which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another person.

The drugs charges relate to the following date, January 19, where he is accused of having four kinds of drugs for his own use and having each of them for the purpose of sale or supply. The drugs referred to in the eight charges are cannabis, the drug colloquially known as N-bomb, MDMA, and DMT.

Inspector John Deasy said that the DPP had directed trial by indictment so there would have to be a book of evidence prepared. There was no objection to the accused being remanded on bail.

Judge Leo Malone adjourned the case until September 15 to allow time for preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Last week, a man and a woman were arrested, charged and released on bail on charges arising out of this investigation.

Ruairí Maher, aged 22, of 12 Ballycurrane, Thurles, Co Tipperary, and Jessica O’Connor, aged 20, of Rosebank House, Ballyhar, Killarney, Co Kerry ,were both charged with conspiring with another to possess a controlled drug for the purpose of sale or supply to another in Cork City on January 18 and that the drug was colloquially known as N-bomb.

The separate cases against them were also put back until September 15 at Cork District Court to allow time for preparation and service of books of evidence.

It is anticipated that all three cases will be sent forward ultimately for trial by judge and jury on a date to be set at the October sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Alex Ryan, aged 18, from Liscahane, Millstreet, Co Cork, died on January 23. Last week, Cork Coroner’s Court heard that the teenager died after consuming the synthetic drug known as N-bomb.