Drug victim fights for life

Suspected drug victim Simon Lynch was still battling for his life yesterday after the death at a party in his flat of his friend, Oisin Crawford, who will be buried today.

Simon, 22, was said to be critical in an induced coma but believed to be making some recovery at Letterkenny General Hospital.

He was taken there by ambulance after 4.30am on Monday morning from his flat where he had been partying with three other young men and an 18-year-old girl.

Oisin, also 22, died at the flat in Main Street, St Johnston.

Gardaí believe the group was consuming drugs and the HSE issued a drugs-alert after the incident, warning against an ecstasy-like substance known as Double Cross and/or Double Black.

Local parish priest Fr Daniel Carr yesterday told how the village was devastated by Oisin’s death.

The priest said: “Everybody is really alarmed. People are dumbfounded and trying to get their minds around what has happened.

“Numbness has surrounded everyone. It seems to be drug-related.

“The use of drugs is as readily available here as they would be in the city.

“Drugs are such a problem. Avoid drugs forever. Never touch them. They are too dangerous. I hope this is a wake-up call.”

He said he had heard that Simon Lynch was in an induced coma but progressing.

Oisin is to be buried today after Mass at St Baithin’s Church in St Johnston, with burial in the adjoining cemetery afterwards.