Man took drugs cocktail before fatal drugs fall

A 32-year-old man consumed a cocktail of drugs before falling to his death from the top of a block of flats in Dublin’s Ballymun, an inquest heard today.

Martin Prendergast, from Cappagh Drive in Finglas, was discovered lying two metres from the lift shaft at the last block of flats on Sillogue Road in north Dublin on October 18, 2004.

Joseph Prendergast, said his brother, who had a history of drug problems, had shown no signs of depression.

“He had a lot of friends that had died from suicide and he said how would they go off and do what they do and leave the world behind them,” he said.

Gda Joe Quinn, from Ballymun Garda Station, who was the investigating officer, said Mr Prendergast was discovered beside the last block of flats around 6am on October 18, 2004 by a person travelling to work.

The Dublin City Coroner’s Court heard Mr Prendergast was pronounced dead on arrival at Dublin’s Mater Hospital, and a post mortem revealed he had died from multiple injuries as a result of the fall.

A toxicology report revealed Mr Prendergast had taken cocaine, amphetamines, sedative drugs, and the breakdown products of heroin were also found in his blood. A significant level of methadone was also found.

His brother said: “He was on methadone and he was using heroin.”

Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell said: “He really had a combination of drugs in his system.”

Gda Quinn said there was a substantial drop from the top of the nine-story block of flats.

He said the extent of the injuries to the body would suggest Mr Prendergast fell from the top floor.

The garda told the inquest a person would have had to manoeuvre themselves over a three-and-a-half foot balcony wall to fall off the building.

“No-one saw what happened so I cannot say exactly how he did it,” he said.

Gda Quinn said there were no signs of any foul play involved in the death.

The coroner said he did not know why Mr Prendergast had travelled up to the block of flats after 11pm at night.

“I am not avoiding the question of possible suicide but I am not able to bring in a verdict here,” he said.

Dr Farrell, who passed an open verdict in the death, said even taking into account the height of the wall protecting the edge of the tower block, the deceased had consumed some drugs with hallucinogenic effects. He said a person having consumed these drugs could have attempted to climb over the wall without realising what they were doing.

“This could well have been just because he was disorientated due to the drugs,” he said.

His mother said: “I am relieved to hear he didn’t take his own life.”

Dr Farrell reassured the family that Mr Prendergast, who had sustained rib fractures and a tear to his vital aorta blood vessel, would have died instantly.