No toxic substance in powder seized at Waterford party

Gardaí in Waterford say no toxic substance has been detected in the white powder recovered from a house where 15 people fell ill during a party early yesterday morning.

Two men remain critically ill in hospital this morning after consuming an unknown drug at the 21st birthday party in Ballybeg Square.

A total of 15 people received medical treatment. Three of them were initially in a critical condition. However, one improved during the day and was said to be in a stable condition last night.

A 25-year-old man was arrested yesterday in connection with the incident and is still in garda custody this morning.

Gardaí said this morning that tests had found no toxic substance in a white powder recovered from the house, but they have not disclosed what exactly was in the powder.

They have said the powder contained none of the horse tranquiliser ketamine, a popular drug among party-goers, as had been rumoured yesterday.