Teen threatened over €400 drug debt took his own life

A teenager who took his own life in a park had received text messages threatening him and his family over a drug debt, an inquest has heard.

Leaving Certificate student Joseph Connaughton-Kavanagh, aged 17, was found in Markievicz Park near his home at Cremona Rd, Ballyfermot, Dublin, on the morning of January 6 last year.

Dublin Coroner’s Court heard that in the preceding days he had received threatening texts over a €400 debt related to cannabis.

He was last seen alive by his friend Jake Cullen who told the inquest they spent a lot of time together over that weekend. On the night before he was found, Joseph was in Mr Cullen’s house and smoked some cannabis.

He seemed “a bit quieter than usual”, Mr Cullen said, “like he had something on his mind” but also seemed “happy enough”. Joseph left to go home between 12.30am and 1am. They had made plans to meet the following day, Mr Cullen said.

Joseph’s body was found in the park at 8am by a passer-by on his way to work. Paramedics said rigor mortis was present.

Garda Emer Lamon told the coroner she took possession of Joseph’s phone at the scene and his messages were analysed. “From this analysis it appears that he owed an individual money and was being threatened with violence if the money was not paid,” she said.

The threats were being made over a €400 cannabis debt, Garda Lamon said. They were sent over a number of days going back into the previous month. On December 30, 2013, he received the message: “I want that money today or I am going to smash your head in.”

Messages sent to his phone on January 3 and 4 were also threatening, the court heard.

Derek Connaughton gave evidence that two men called to his house on Friday, January 3, looking for his son. He later told the coroner from the body of the court he had never seen these men before and their knock on the door had been heavy and “threatening”.

Garda Lamon said she believes the death was self-inflicted with no third party involvement. She agreed with Dr Brian Farrell, the coroner, that Joseph may have been responding to the threats.

The threats were made from two phone numbers; one was not registered and the other was registered to a false name and address.

Garda Lamon said she had approached the two people believed to have sent the messages. “They are not co-operating and we have no evidence,” she said, adding: “If they are not willing to co-operate or give a statement, our hands are tied”.

Dr Farrell said it may be possible for his office to issue a summons to the person involved compelling him to appear before the inquest. He adjourned the hearing to May 21.

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