Two remain critical after Waterford party

Two men remain in a critical condition in hospital this morning after taking drugs at a house party in Waterford at the weekend…

Two men remain in a critical condition in hospital this morning after taking drugs at a house party in Waterford at the weekend.

Gardaí said this morning they have received the result of tests on a drugs cocktail that left the two young men critically ill and 13 other people requiring medical attention.

Superintendent Dave Sheehan, who is heading up the inquiry, would not reveal the type of substance recovered from the house at Ballybeg Square but insisted it was not toxic. "To allay the fears of the public out there, because I do know there were a lot of fears around the place, I can say there was no horse tranquilliser in this substance," he said.

He said the possibility they had taken an overdose was being examined.  "It possibly was more to do with the quantity [taken] as opposed to anything in it that was taken."

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The group were attending a 21st birthday party in Ballybeg Square on Saturday night. Officers were alerted to the address shortly after 5am.

Fifteen people were taken to A&E at Waterford Regional Hospital.

Eleven people were assessed and released and four were admitted for further treatment. One was later discharged.

Three people were initially being treated as critically ill at Waterford Regional Hospital yesterday, but the condition of one of the three improved during the day. This man, aged 24, was removed to a medical ward at the hospital.

Two others, aged 21 and 25, remain in a critical condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

Gardaí in Waterford have arrested a man (25) in connection with the incident. He was detained in Waterford city yesterday afternoon under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Gardaí and the Health Service Executive have warned anyone that may have been at the party and who is suffering from nausea or rapid heartbeat to seek medical help.