60% of coroner’s work alcohol-related

A RECENTLY retired coroner has revealed that 60% of cases he dealt with during his 32 years in the job were alcohol-related.

Former GAA president and practising GP Dr Mick Loftus said of the 250 or so deaths he adjudicated on during his term in the job in North Mayo, more than half had their origin in car crashes, accidents, suicides or other fatalities which were drink-related.

“Nothing in this world is causing the devastation which drink is either in our society, our homes or our schools. It's everywhere. I may be considered a spoil sport when I make such comments, but I’ve seen them with my own eyes as a GP and more so even in my 32 years as a coroner,” Dr Loftus said yesterday.