Judge finds signs Rome driver was using drugs

AN ITALIAN judge has found strong indications that Friedrich Vernarelli, the Italian man remanded in custody over the deaths of two Irish women, had been using drugs.

Remanding Vernarelli in custody, Judge Luisana Figliola said not only had he refused a drugs test, but a doctor had “verified dilated pupils, which strongly indicated the suspect was under the influence of drugs”.

The judge also revealed he had lost his licence on April 20, 2005, but did not say what the reason was.