Man in custody died of alcohol poisoning

A man died of alcohol poisoning while in the custody of the Garda, Dublin Coroner's Court heard yesterday.

The court heard that Mr Paul William Haugh, (48), of Grangemore Avenue, Donaghmede, was brought to Clontarf Garda station on January 3rd, 2004, after he was found by gardaí lying on a footpath on the Howth Road. He was arrested "for his own safety" and taken to Clontarf Garda Station "to sleep it off".

Mr Haugh, a Dublin Corporation employee, was the separated father of two adult children. The court heard he had been living with his partner, Ms Ethel Byrne, for five years.

Ms Byrne told the court she had seen her partner earlier that day in a pub in Fairview, while a local off-licence owner gave evidence that he had sold Mr Haugh a half-bottle of vodka at about 2.30 p.m. on the day he died.

After Mr Haugh was taken to Clontarf Garda Station he was placed on a bed, in a cell, in the recovery position, said Garda Joseph McElroy. He said this was "standard procedure". The garda then went about other duties while a colleague checked him every 15 minutes.

Garda McElroy returned to the station shortly after 4.30 p.m and noticed there was a discharge from Mr Haugh's mouth and nose. An ambulance was called and he was removed to the Mater Hospital at about 5 p.m.

The State Pathologist, Prof Marie Cassidy, said tests found 552 mg per cent of alcohol in the blood and 487 mg per cent in the urine. The inquest has been adjourned to March 1st.