Cocaine use a ‘significant factor’ in death

RECENT cocaine use was a “significant factor” in the death of broadcaster Gerry Ryan, an inquest has heard.

The 53-year-old father-of -five was found dead at his apartment at Upper Leeson Street, Dublin 4, by his partner Melanie Verwoerd on April 30, 2010.

He died of a cardiac arrhythmia with recent use of cocaine as a “significant risk factor” in the presence of heart disease, Dublin City Coroner’s Court heard yesterday.