Venezuela trafficking case: Dead man named

An Irish man has died in Venezuela after his suspected attempts to traffic cocaine went wrong.

The man, who has been named as Martin Beirne, is understood to have died when bags of cocaine which he had ingested burst in his body.

Two of the his associates are due in court in Caracas charged with drug trafficking offences.

Mr Beirne, who was in his early 30s, is understood to have lived in the Sligo area for some time.

He was found in a hotel in Venezuela's capital on Wednesday, and later died in hospital.

The two other Irish men due in court later are believed to have been travelling with Mr Beirne. They are charged with drug trafficking offences.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is providing consular assistance to Mr Beirne's family.