Cork man's death may have been due to genetic predisposition or caused by anabolic steroids

Coroner delivers an open verdict at inquest into the death of Neil Allister who collapsed in a Cork nightclub in August 2023

Cork City Coroner Philip Comyn at Cork Courthouse. File picture: Larry Cummins

A man collapsed in a Cork nightclub and suffered sudden cardiac death which could have been possibly genetic or due to anabolic steroid use.

Neil Allister, 49, who was described as hard-working, thoughtful, and “much loved”, was due to meet his wife, Cork solicitor Jennifer Paige Steel, in Voodoo Rooms nightclub on Oliver Plunkett St in Cork City that night. But he collapsed before they found each other.

Ms Steel said that the club was “packed” that night. When she could not find him, she left, went to Burger King, and texted him to tell him where she was.

Meanwhile, efforts were being made to resuscitate Mr Allister with CPR and a defibrillator in the nightclub before he was taken by ambulance to the Mercy University Hospital where he was pronounced dead on August 27, 2023.

'Performance-enhancing drugs'

The anabolic steroid Testobal–C, an injectable testosterone, was found by gardaí in Mr Allister’s vehicle along with syringes and needles.

Ms Steel said that she was aware of his use of “some kind of performance-enhancing drugs” since he was about 17 years old. 

She said he had spoken about “wanting to get as big as possible” to protect himself and the people he cared about.

Enlarged heart

His heart was “markedly enlarged in size and shape”, pathologist Margot Bolster said, giving evidence at Cork Coroners Court of his autopsy.

His heart weighed 762g — significantly larger than average (450 to 490g) for a man of his size.

Dr Bolster agreed with barrister for Ms Steel, Doireann O’Mahony BL, that the use of anabolic steroids can cause enlargement of the heart.

But she also agreed with solicitor for Mr Allister’s siblings, Stephen Foley, when he said that equally, his enlarged heart could have been an anatomical feature.

His cause of death was given as sudden cardiac death.

Died of natural causes

Mr Allister died from natural causes, Dr Bolster said. Mr Allister’s enlarged heart was “idiopathic” denoting a spontaneous disease or condition with no known cause.

Dr Bolster recommended Mr Allister’s family get medical advice as to whether there could be a genetic predisposition to heart issues.

His toxicology report was clear with no evidence of alcohol or drugs in his system.

Ms O’Mahony asked if Cork City coroner Philip Comyn would “highlight to the public the dangers that arise taking anabolic steroids” so that “if any good can come from the tragic event” it may prevent further deaths.

Condition may have occurred spontaneously

Mr Foley strongly disagreed with that suggestion, saying that Dr Bolster described his enlarged heart as idiopathic and may have been an anatomic feature.

Mr Comyn said that he could not make that recommendation: 

Dr Bolster said on questioning that this could be due to prolonged use of anabolic steroids, but it could also be anatomic. 

The inquest must have an open verdict because no one could say definitively whether his death was idiopathic or due to anabolic steroid use, Mr Comyn said.

“The evidence is equivocal. It could be one or the other.” 

Mr Comyn noted the “unhappy relationship between various parties” at the inquest but said that Mr Allister was clearly “a much loved man by everyone who knew him, despite their differences.”