Warning over lethal batch of ecstasy

The HSE has warned of a highly dangerous batch of ecstasy tablets which has been linked to the deaths of two people in the last four days, one of them a teenager.

It has also warned of two other deaths linked to stimulants which occurred at the end of April.

Of the two victims that have been linked to the drug, dubbed “Green Apple” and “Green Rolex”, one was a 16-year-old boy who died at Waterford Regional Hospital on Sunday.

It is understood he had taken up to six of the pills before he died.

No details were available regarding the other deaths, other than that the second victim who died this week passed away in Dublin, and that the two deaths last month were in the South- East and the Midlands.

The green pills have either an apple or Rolex symbol imprinted upon them.

Last July, Garda sources revealed that Green Rolex tablets, which had been linked to a number of deaths in the North, had been in the Republic for the previous year, though they had not resulted in any fatalities at that stage.

Forensic analysis of seized pills in the North at that point showed the presence of highly toxic chemicals PMA and PMMA, as well as ecstasy. PMMA was one of the ingredients contained in drugs which were found to have killed two men in Kinsale, Co Cork, in 2012.

Gardaí are investigating a link between the tablets and a consignment of drugs seized in Dublin yesterday.

Quantities of ecstasy, LSD, herbal cannabis, and cocaine worth €1,000, along with cash, mobile phones, and weighing scales were found at an apartment in Phibsboro.

A man in his 20s was last night being held at Irishtown Garda Station.

The drug deaths come less than a week after a number of students at University College Dublin became seriously ill after taking LSD and amphetamine. It is understood they became unwell after the two drugs combined, giving a very powerful reaction.

The HSE has said it is investigating whether there was a link between the UCD incident and any of the deaths over the last month. “Other stimulants indicated include cocaine and amphetamines which, in some circumstances, have been taken in combination,” said a HSE spokesperson.

“Therefore, those who take drugs should be specifically warned of potential dangers linked to these substances or using drugs in combinations.

“The physical signs that have presented are severe agitation, extremely rapid heart rate, and extremely high temperature. Even with prompt medical attention, unfortunately some people have died taking these stimulants.”

The HSE said it was important that anybody displaying negative side effects following the use of drugs seek medical help immediately. It pointed out that, in 2011, there were 365 drug-related deaths of which 23 were cocaine related and 11 ecstasy related.