No prosecution in case of man who died after Nek Nomination

The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed for no prosecution in relation to the death of a DJ whose death was linked to the dangerous drinking game Nek Nomination.

Ross Cummins (22) from Stella Gardens, Irishtown in Dublin 4 was found dead at a house on Macken Street in Dublin city centre on February 1st, 2014.

He died as a result of alcohol and cocaine toxicity, an inquest into his death which opened on February 11th last heard.

At the resumed inquest at Dublin Coroner’s Court Sergeant Ger Walsh said the DPP had directed that no prosecution be brought in relation to Mr Cummins’ death.

A preliminary post-mortem report found the popular DJ died of cardiac respiratory arrest secondary to alcohol and cocaine toxicity.

The post-mortem was carried out at the Dublin City Mortuary in Marino by Professor Eamon Leen.

Mr Cummins is believed to have been attending a party with friends at the Macken Street address where he allegedly downed a pint of whiskey in a Nek Nomination challenge.

The 'Nek Nomination' craze swept across social media sites such as Facebook early last year. Participants were challenged to film themselves downing alcoholic drinks before nominating someone else to continue to the challenge.

Last February, Dublin Coroner’s Court heard at the opening and adjournment of the inquest into his death that a garda investigation into the incident was nearing completion with a file being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Previously at the inquest, when asked by Coroner Dr Brian Farrell if the garda inquiries related to "a supply issue", Inspector Liam Geraghty of Pearse St Garda Station replied: "that is one element that is being investigated".

The file was completed, submitted and reviewed by the DPP, who directed no prosecution to be brought in relation to the death of Mr Cummins, allowing for the full inquest hearing to go ahead later this year.

Mr Cummins was identified to gardaí­ at Macken Street by his father Robert Cummins, who was present in court and agreed to the date set for the full inquest.

The Coroner’s Court has a copy of the Garda file into the DJ’s death, which will be used in preparation for the full inquest scheduled to take place on November 5th.

Mr Cummins' death came within 24 hours of Jonny Byrne (19) from Leighlinbridge in Carlow, who died after entering the river shortly after taking part in a Nek Nomination challenge.

The deaths prompted widespread condemnation of the Nek Nomination craze.