THE risk of coma and sudden death after consumption of large amounts of alcohol was highlighted yesterday by a coroner in Galway after inquests into the deaths of two Connemara men who died after drinking large quantities of Doteen.
The Coroner for Galway West Dr Ciaran McLoughlin, said the deaths, in separate incidents, graphically underlined the dangers of acute intoxication. He was commenting after the inquests into the deaths of the two single men - one aged 47 and the other 46 - heard that the alcohol levels in their blood were more than five times the legal limit applied to motorists.
Dr McLoughlin said that one could not but be struck by the deaths of two relatively young, men found to have high alcohol levels in their systems. "It does bring to our attention the dangers and hazards of acute intoxication. It must be very distressing for their families that these people have died in such circumstances."
People should not drink excessive amounts of alcohol - illicit or otherwise - while they are on their own in their homes, he said. "Drinking large, copious amounts of alcohol and falling asleep is very dangerous."
He was hearing evidence relating to the deaths of Mr Thomas Brock (47), Bealadangan, and Mr William Flaherty (46), Teach Mor, Lettermullen.
In relation to Mr Flaherty's death on March 31st last, Mr Michael Staunton said he had been in his house on that date and the deceased had been drinking "the crathur". He had not seen him alive again. On April 3rd he had gone with his son to Mr Flaherty's house. A neighbour broke in through a front bedroom window where his body was found. The deceased was a heavy drinker, the inquest was told.
Det Garda Pat Ferriter said he visited the house where Mr Flaherty lived alone and found his fully clothed body, which was removed to University College Hospital, Galway, where a post mortem was carried out.
Dr Malcolm Little, a consultant pathologist, said his examination suggested that Mr Flaherty had been dead for at least two days before he was found and that he had a concentration of 436 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
This, he said, was a very high level old alcohol equivalent to at least 11 pints of beer or over 19 fluid ounces of spirits. Death was due to acute alcoholic poisoning.
The post mortem on Mr Brock who died on December 3rd last revealed an alcohol level of 429 mg, which was consistent with acute alcoholic poisoning. Dr Little said he had been told Mr Brock had been drinking poteen.
The inquest, which heard that Mr Brock's body was found lying on a couch in a friend's house after a night of drinking, was adjourned until July 24th to hear further depositions.