Limerick prisoner died from cocktail of drugs

A prisoner found in a coma at Limerick Prison died from a cocktail of drugs which included heroin, methadone and two types of prescription sedatives.

A verdict of misadventure was returned at Limerick Coroner’s Court yesterday into the death of Jason Morrissey, 25, of Church St, Toomevara, Co Tipperary.

Efforts to revive him in the early hours of December 27, 2014, failed.

In 2012, Morrissey had received a total of 18 years imprisonment after pleading guilty to unlawfully killing another man with one punch, and other offences. His 14-year sentence for manslaughter was reduced to 10 years on appeal in 2014.

Prison officer Timmy Ryan checked, through a cell spy hole, on Morrissey around 4am. He did not see Morrissey breathing and raised the alarm.

Aidan O’Mahony, assistant chief officer, said he opened the cell and commenced CPR. There was froth on Morrissey’s mouth and ambulance medics, who arrived, continued the procedure.

In reply to Barry Ward, counsel for the Irish Prison Service, Mr O’Mahony said in order to open a cell door, two keys were needed. Prison officers had one key and the assistant chief officer held the second master key as a security measure.

Mr O’Mahony said prisoners were locked down around 7.30pm and remained in their cells until 6.30am. Cells were checked every hour but, on that night, there had been about 17 checks.

A nurse, Sean Carey, said Morrissey was cold and foam was coming from his mouth. He started CPR and called for a defibrillator. He kept working on the prisoner for about 20 minutes until ambulance medics arrived.

Deputy State pathologist Margot Bolster said an autopsy showed Morrissey’s lungs were heavy and congested. Toxicology tests found four different drugs: Heroin, methadone, and two benzodiazepines.

While the quantities of each, on their own, would not have been fatal, a combination of all four would be. Dr Bolster said death was due to aspiration of vomit.

She informed his family, who attended the hearing, the deceased had slipped into a coma without suffering. The jury returned a verdict of misadventure.

Inspector of Prisons Michael Reilly published a report on Morrissey’s death and deemed all appropriate checks and actions had been taken by staff.

Meanwhile, in a separate inquest, an open verdict was recorded after an angler died after falling, and drowning, in the Shannon River.

When the body of Nicholas Lyons, 34, from St Ita’s St, St Mary’s Park was recovered, a mark was found on his jaw.

Limerick City coroner John McNamara said there was some concern about the circumstances.

Toxicology tests showed Mr Lyons was considerably intoxicated and had tranquilisers taken with alcohol. This could have led him to fall into the river.

State pathologist Marie Cassidy said death was consistent with drowning. Drink and medication were contributory factors. Prof Cassidy said she could not exclude a jaw injury which could have been caused by a blow, a punch or an impact.

Gardaí were satisfied there had been no foul play but the coroner stated: “Clearly, without any doubt, Nicholas Lyons did not intend to die that night.

“Because there are some concerns, I think the most appropriate verdict is an open verdict. There are some questions unanswered.”