Coroner’s cocaine warning after labourer’s death
A seven-man jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure in the case of David Culloty, a 20-year-old labourer from Alderwood Road, Tralee, whose body was found in a Killarney hotel bedroom.
According to a postmortem examination, the cause of death was ingestion of cocaine associated with ingestion of alcohol, on
August 25, 2007.
Toxicology tests showed the body of deceased had traces of cocaine and a blood/alcohol concentration of 120mgs.
Mr Casey said cocaine was an extremely dangerous substance, particularly when mixed with alcohol.
“It [cocaine] should be ignored by people. People should just stay away from it,” he said.
The inquest was resumed yesterday, having been adjourned a month ago so that James Leen, described by Mr Casey as an essential witness, could attend. Mr Casey had ordered a summons to be issued to Mr Leen.
In evidence Mr Leen said he, the deceased and other friends had attended a wedding the previous day in Killarney. He was in Mr Culloty’s bedroom for several hours until 7am, on August 25.
He said Mr Culloty told him he had taken cocaine, but he did not see Mr Culloty take any cocaine. Neither did he see any white substance in the room.
Asked by Mr Casey if they were drinking in the room, he replied “no” and said they were just talking.
Mr Leen said at about 7am Mr Culloty stood up and started shaking. Witness could not calm him and he fell to the ground. Efforts to resuscitate him failed.
The inquest had earlier heard how a friend of Mr Culloty had told another guest in the hotel Mr
Culloty had overdosed on cocaine.
Traces of a white substance were found in the bedroom in which he died and swipe cards were also lying on the bed.
Garda Eddie Walsh, of Killarney, told of being called to the hotel and of seeing the deceased lying on his back in boxer shorts and a T-shirt. There were three other men and two women in the room.
The gardaí noticed a white substance on the dressing table and a TV set had been knocked from its position.
Garda Walsh said one of the men in the room, Joe O’Connor, also from Tralee, said Mr Culloty had taken cocaine earlier and Mr O’Connor also said he was aware he had taken it in the past.
