A youth taken into custody by gardai who believed he was driving a car while drunk, was rushed to hospital where he died a short time later. It is believed he took an overdose of illegal drugs, possibly ecstasy tablets.
Mr Derek Lehane (19), from Michael Collins Square, Midleton, Cork, was stopped by gardai near Glounthane, outside Cork city, at about 7 o'clock yesterday morning. They brought him to Midleton Garda station and called a doctor after they believed he swallowed drugs in a condom or plastic bag.
While the doctor was examining him the apprentice stone cutter became violently ill and was rushed to the South Infirmary Hospital in Cork city, where he died about 90 minutes later.
A post-mortem examination was carried out yesterday evening and further tests will be carried out in the State Forensic Laboratory in Dublin today.
One of a family of four, Mr Lehane had a number of convictions for possession of illegal drugs for his own use.