Teenager in HSE aftercare dies of methadone toxicity in derelict building

A VULNERABLE teenager in state aftercare was found dead in a NAMA-controlled building frequently used by homeless people and drug-users, an inquest has heard.

The body of 19-year-old Jonathan Doyle was found in McConnell House, a derelict office building on Charlemont Place on June 20, 2010. Mr Doyle had consumed a large amount of methadone.

The inquest heard how the building, next to the Hilton Hotel, was being used by the homeless when they couldn’t get a bed in a hostel. “Anywhere between two and 20 people stay in the building on any given night,” homeless man Andrew Doyle said.

Jonathan’s then girlfriend, Aideen Griffin, told the inquest how the two of them had stayed at the building along with Andrew Doyle on the night of June 19. She awoke the next morning to discover Jonathan “blue”.

The inquest heard how Mr Doyle had been in state care as a child and that the HSE was aware he was using drugs. The HSE said the State had no legal obligation to provide aftercare services once someone turned 18.

“The after-care service is optional. If they’re willing to go into it, then we have a duty. Jonathan chose to enter after-care but did not engage with all the after- care services,” HSE’s Kelly Marie Kennedy said.

The jury questioned whether the HSE and the State had failed to protect Mr Doyle, who was obviously a vulnerable teenager, but the HSE said they couldn’t force someone to partake in after-care services such as drug rehabilitation.

A post-mortem by State Pathologist Marie Cassidy found Mr Doyle had died of methadone toxicity. Prof Cassidy found no evidence of chronic intravenous drug usage.

Recommending that the State make increased efforts to curtail the supply of drugs on the streets, the jury of six men returned a verdict of misadventure.

Jonathan’s sister Sarah- Jane questioned whether the gardaí could have done more to help her brother, as they knew the building was being used by homeless people and drug-users.