Warnings over danger of heroin after man’s death
“Heroin is an incredibly dangerous and lethal drug,” Cork’s city coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said.
“Young people must be made aware that they cannot indulge in it without huge attendant risks. We are aiming to raise this awareness in the coroner’s court.”
She was speaking during the inquest into the death of Daniel O’Shea, 28, from 12 Limewood Grove, Onslow Gardens, Cork.
The inquest, which was first opened earlier this year, heard that Mr O’Shea was dropped by his mother, Annette, to his girlfriend Sinead Walsh’s house, at 68 Killala Gardens, Knocknaheeny, just before midnight on January 16 last.
Ms Walsh found him dead in bed the next morning. She has since died.
A postmortem found small traces of heroin, rohypnol and marijuana in Mr O’Shea’s system.
Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster said it was not the amount but the combination of all three drugs which suppressed his central nervous system.
“Heroin is a very powerful drug. Throw in two other central nervous depressants and you have a lethal cocktail,” she said.
She said the combination of heroin with other drugs was becoming increasingly common in her case-load.
Mr O’Shea’s parents, Arthur and Annette, expressed concern earlier this year that a serious assault on their son six months before his death, in which he lost an eye, may have contributed to his death. But Dr Bolster ruled that out.
Dr Cullinane recorded a verdict of death by misadventure and said tragically, heroin-related deaths have become a common feature in her court.
Speaking afterwards, Daniel’s mother, Annette, said: “He had completed an apprenticeship in painting and had just done his block release in Fás. He was a fine young man who never gave us any trouble... But the assault had a devastating effect on his life. He just went downhill after that.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
