Drugs found in 38% of homicide victims
A study of records from the State Pathologist’s Office found there were 288 homicides between 2008 and 2012, comprising murders and manslaughters.
The figures indicate an average of 57.6 homicides each year over the five-year period, with homicides accounting for 0.2% of all overall deaths.
The greatest number of homicides took place in 2010, with 66 deaths, while the lowest number was in 2011 when there were 47
The study, entitled ‘Drug Associated Homicidal Deaths,’ carried out by a medical student at University College Cork, Roisin Greaney, found that 109 of the 288 homicide victims had illicit drugs or medication in their system at the time of death.
Of those 109 victims, 87% were male and 13% were female.
Almost half (48%) of victims who had drugs or medication in their system died from gunshot wounds.
One-in-four died from stab wounds, while blunt force trauma was the cause of death in 18% of the 109 cases.
In 75% of cases, the victims had more than one drug in their system.
The presence of benzodiazapines (sedatives) or barbiturates was detected in 53% of postmortem toxicology screenings. Alcohol was detected in 39% of cases, and opiates in 37%.
Alcohol was only taken into account if it was used in combination with other drugs or medication.
Cannabis was detected in 29% of cases, cocaine in 22% of cases and methadone was detected in 17%.
The victims had more than two substances in their system at the time of death in 32% of cases.
Just 22 of the 109 victims had previous documented abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Ms Greaney, who is from Douglas, Cork, said that in some cases the drugs or medication and alcohol may have played a contributory role in the death.
Deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said: “This study shows, in certain instances like gangland shootings, that there is a link between violent deaths and the drug sub-culture.”
