Two young men remained critically ill in Waterford Regional Hospital last night after attending a weekend party at a house on the Ballybeg estate in the city from which gardaí removed a quantity of drugs.
Both John Grey (23), from Ballybeg, and Kevin Doyle (21) from the Viewmount estate, are in a coma and understood to be on life support machines. A third man, who has not been named, and who was also at the party, was said to be in a stable condition and recovering at the hospital.
Gardaí investigating the incident yesterday declined to reveal the precise results of a Dublin laboratory's analysis of a white powder, understood to be cocaine, taken from the house but said it did not contain anything of a toxic nature.
One theory being considered last night was the possibility that the powder may have become damp which caused some of the partygoers to swallow rather than snort the substance.
Gardaí dismissed earlier reports that the powder had contained Ketamine, a veterinary product used to tranquilise horses and which has acquired notoriety as a "recreational" drug.
The party had begun on Saturday night at a pub in the city to celebrate the 21st birthday of Mark Grey. His mother, Betty, said that some partygoers returned to the family home to continue the party. About 30 people attended the party in the family home. She said that during the night John just went into a coma and a number of other partygoers became ill.
Gardaí and ambulance crews were called and 15 people were treated at Waterford Regional Hospital. All but the three men have since been discharged.
Gardaí are still questioning a man who was arrested in connection with the incident in Waterford city on Sunday afternoon. He is being detained at Tramore Garda station under the provisions of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act and can be held for up to seven days.
Chief Supt Dave Sheahan, leading the investigation, said yesterday search teams were at the house in Ballybeg and officers are continuing to interview people who attended the party.
Yesterday families of both critically ill men kept vigil at Waterford Regional Hospital and were briefed by medical teams throughout the day.
At 4pm, a spokeswoman for the Grey family said there was no change in John Grey's condition but they remained hopeful. She said the next 10 hours would be vital.
On Sunday, Ms Grey acknowledged that her son had taken drugs and had "paid the consequences". She added: "I don't condone drugs - John took them, that's it . . . but didn't deserve to be in a coma." Ms Grey also suggested that drug abuse was rampant in Waterford with the comment: "Drugs run this town".
But gardaí yesterday said the situation in Waterford was no worse than in other Irish towns and cities.
It is understood Kevin Doyle, who had been recovering from testicular cancer, did not know the Grey brothers but met the family group in the pub and was among those who accepted an invitation to return to the house to continue the birthday celebrations.