Postmortem after sudden death of heroin addict in jail

GARDAÍ are awaiting the results of a full postmortem which will determine why a heroin addict died unexpectedly in Cork Prison.

If it is found that drugs courier Raymond (Sammy) Tanner died of a substance overdose it is likely to spark a probe into how he may have acquired drugs in the prison.

A senior garda said they would have to wait for conclusive results of a postmortem before deciding what line of enquiry they would follow. Tanner, from Casement Street, Clonakilty, Co Cork, is understood to have complained to his cell mate about feeling unwell early yesterday. The second prisoner raised the alarm, but Tanner was pronounced dead, in the prison, a short time later.

Tanner, described at his trial as a heroin addict, was jailed for 10 years in June last after being caught in possession of more than €16,000 worth of cocaine.

He was arrested by gardaí in possession of the drugs after stepping off the Dublin train at Kent Station, Cork, on April 17 last.

The trial was told that Tanner resisted gardaí and had to be forcibly arrested before being brought to Mayfield Garda Station.

He was described in court as a man who had no visible means of supporting himself as he was not in employment and was not on social welfare, to which Judge Con Murphy stated: “He is living off fresh air.” In his summary of the case where the accused pleaded guilty, Judge Murphy said Tanner was acting as a courier of cocaine from Dublin to Cork.

“He resisted arrest at Kent Station and did not in any way co-operate with the gardaí. There are mitigating factors in that he saved the courts the trouble of a trial. He has a heroin addiction, he is a slow learner, is easily led and likes to be liked, and he is a dutiful son to his mother,” said the judge.

Sentencing him to 10 years in prison, the judge also directed an inquiry be made into Tanner’s assets to ascertain the extent of any wealth he might have from dealing in drugs.