Charges to be brought in Katy probe

GARDAÍ investigating the death of model Katy French are to recommend charges be brought against a number of people.

The Garda investigation file is due to be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the coming weeks.

Gardaí are “very optimistic” drug-related charges can be taken against several people, including both charges of possession and the supply of drugs.

There is also a possibility other serious, but as yet undisclosed, charges may be brought against certain individuals.

While gardaí are thought to be satisfied these other charges could stand, they say it will be a matter for the DPP to determine if there is sufficient evidence to bring these charges.

The DPP is expected to take a number of weeks to decide whether to direct any charges or seek further clarification and information from investigating officers.

Gardaí are awaiting the results of a second series of toxicological tests on samples taken from Ms French.

The first set of results confirmed the 24-year-old had taken cocaine, but the amount of cocaine in her system is not thought to be generally high enough to cause death.

However, individual reactions to cocaine can vary and previous cocaine-related inquests have shown susceptible people can die from what would be considered a relatively small amount.

After receiving the first results, gardaí sought a second set of tests to determine whether there was any contaminant in her system or any other drug, which may have compounded the effect of cocaine.

Officers do not believe there was any other substance, but are conducting the tests to be certain.

Ms French is not thought to have had any underlying heart condition that could have been triggered by cocaine. She is also thought not to have taken any medication or legal drugs which might have interacted fatally with cocaine.

A massive Garda investigation was set up following the death of Ms French in Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan on December 6 last.

Senior gardaí expected it would be very difficult to gather enough evidence to prove who had supplied Ms French with cocaine.

But the investigation is believed to have made a breakthrough with the arrest of four people last month as well as interviews carried out with others.

Gardaí are satisfied they have “a complete picture” of how Ms French got the cocaine, where she got it and who she got it from.