`Date rape' drug found in farmer's body

The results of a post-mortem on Mr Michael O'Leary, the Kilkenny man who was found dead in a park in Prague last month, have …

The results of a post-mortem on Mr Michael O'Leary, the Kilkenny man who was found dead in a park in Prague last month, have shown traces of the "date rape" drug Rohypnol and the synthetic opiate Diazepan. The information was given yesterday to the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, who was visiting the Czech Republic as part of a tour of Eastern European countries that have applied to join the EU.

During a meeting with the Czech Minister of the Interior, Mr Stanislav Gross, Mr O'Donoghue asked about pro gress in the investigation into the death of Mr O'Leary in a public park on April 22nd. Mr O'Leary (23) had been on a visit with Macra na Feirme to Prague. Mr O'Leary was robbed of his passport, driver's licence, wallet and money. A friend, Mr Padraig McNally, was found lying unconscious beside him. He too had been drugged and robbed.

Two women were arrested last week and charged with theft. Yesterday, the Czech minister said further charges might be brought against the women.

The Czech authorities are also giving information to the Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, about the death.

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Mr O'Leary's remains were returned last Thursday night and buried in Callan at the weekend.

A graduate of Glasgow University, he and Mr McNally were last seen by other members of their party at a nightclub in Prague early on April 22nd.

Today, Mr O'Donoghue visits Poland where he will meet ministers to discuss EU and international co-operation on combating terrorism and organised crime.