‘Lessons must be learned’ from teen’s drug death

A teen who died of a drug overdose while in HSE aftercare was unable to access ‘appropriate’ accommodation upon his release from prison, an inquest heard.

Danny Talbot, 19, of no fixed abode, died of respiratory failure due to a toxic combination of methadone and benzodiazepines. He was found dead at a flat on Berkeley St, Dublin 7, on August 4, 2009, where he had been staying temporarily with a man he met on the street.

Dublin coroner Dr Brian Farrell returned a verdict of death by misadventure following lengthy inquest proceedings into his death.