The mother of a man who died last Saturday, almost two weeks after taking drugs at a party in Waterford, has described how she is "utterly devastated" by his death.
At the hospital on Saturday, Betty Grey said she knew her son John's death had been coming, but could not face the truth. "We didn't want to see the truth . . . who would want to see it?"
Mr Grey (23) had been in a coma since he collapsed at the party in his family home in early on November 25th. His life support machine was turned off at 11.30am on Saturday in Waterford Regional Hospital.
His mother, Betty, sister Michelle and his girlfriend, who wished to be known only as Fiona, were present when he died.
Another man, Kevin Doyle (21), who was also at the party, died last week.
Fiona urged everyone to "stay away from drugs. He always looked out for other people - he would hate it if anyone was sad or upset," she said. "He had a very good heart, a very good heart. If he was here now, he'd say, 'Be brave'. He'd tell me to watch over his mother for him."
A postmortem on Mr Grey was carried out on Saturday and his body has been released. It is understood he will be buried tomorrow or Wednesday. His death occurred four days after Mr Doyle's.
Mr Doyle had met members of the Grey family, apparently for the first time, in a city centre pub on November 24th and accepted an invitation to return to their house in Ballybeg for a party. Early the next morning, a number of people became extremely ill after taking drugs.
Ms Grey has previously described how John had run down the stairs to say Mr Doyle had collapsed before collapsing himself. The emergency services were called and 15 people subsequently attended the emergency department at Waterford Regional Hospital. Thirteen were later discharged.
It is thought the two who died may have taken damp cocaine orally.
A Waterford man charged in relation to the possession and supply of drugs at the party was granted continuing bail on Thursday. Anthony Connolly (25), Priory Lawn, Ballybeg, appeared on two charges of possessing cocaine and amphetamines along with two charges of the sale and supply of the drugs. Insp Tom Duggan told Judge William Harnett the matter would "take some time". He had received "no directions from the DPP".
Separately, Christopher Connolly (31), Meadowbank, Waterford, appeared at the court charged with the possession of a quantity of narcotics for sale or supply. He was granted continuing bail this week.