Overdose victim 'did not mean to kill himself'

A man who died of an overdose of anti-depressant tablets probably did not mean to take his own life, his doctor told a Belfast inquest yesterday.

Raymond Hanna, 52 was found dead by his son at his home at Castlewellan Road, Newcastle in June 25, 2003.

An autopsy found that he had high levels of the anti-depressant drug Dothepin in his system.

His GP, Dr Christopher Leggett said Mr Hanna had a history of alcohol abuse and depression and had been prescribed drugs since 1991.

He was admitted to hospital on a number of occasions suffering from blackouts and vomiting.

But the doctor added that he had never taken an overdose, had no record of suicidal tendencies and pointed out that no note was found at the time of his death.

“In my opinion Mr Hanna’s death was probably due to an accidental overdose.”

The inquest was told Mr Hanna, who was an electrician, was separated from his wife.

His son, Raymond, aged 20, said he had gone to his dad’s house to get some keys to a flat and found his body slumped against the side of his bed.

“I tried to wake my dad up by shouting at him. I shouted to my uncle George to get an ambulance.”

He said he had last spoken to his father two days before his death and he appeared frail and ill and upset at the prospect of his house being sold.

“He was just in a daze. He wasn’t really focused at all.”

But he added that at no time had his father given any indication that he intended to take his own life.

Mr Hanna said that he believed his father had fallen coming out of the bathroom as there was a broken glass on the floor.

The dead man’s brother George, who was the last person to speak to him the night before, said he was working outside his own house nearby, when his brother asked him to bring him some yoghurt and coke.

Mr Hanna was not present at the inquest but a statement was read out on his behalf.

In the statement, he said: “I went into the small hallway and Raymond was on his hands and knees on the floor. He went into the bedroom. I noticed it was quite messy.”

“He was watching TV so I didn’t think he was that bad.”

He sat with him a while after giving him the yoghurt and coke.

“He said he had taken his beta blockers and when he had a good night’s sleep it will be okay in the morning.”

Constable Anthony Acton, who was called to the house after Mr Hanna’s body was found, confirmed that no note was found.

He said there were empty alcohol bottles and cans scattered around the bedroom and tablets found in the bathroom and kitchen.

The deputy coroner for Greater Belfast Deborah Malcolm said it did not appear that Mr Hanna had deliberately taken his own life.

“It may have been he was suffering withdrawal symptoms and took extra Dothepin to assist him,” she added.

“There is evidence to suggest it was an accidental overdose.”