Teen who took his own life was being threatened, coroner hears

A teenager found dead in a Dublin park last year had received text messages threatening his family and himself over a drug debt, an inquest has heard.

Leaving Cert student Joseph Connaughton-Kavanagh (17) was found dead in Markievicz Park, near his home at Cremona Road in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 on the morning of January 6th. He had apparently taken his own life.

Dublin Coroner’s Court heard he had been receiving threatening texts over a €400 cannabis-related debt in the preceding days.

He was last seen alive by his friend Jake Cullen who told the inquest they spent a lot of time together over that weekend.

On the night before he was found, Joseph was in Mr Cullen’s house and smoked some cannabis. He seemed “a bit quieter than usual”, Mr Cullen said, “like he had something on his mind” but he also seemed “happy enough”.

Joseph left to go home between 12.30am and 1am. They had made plans to meet the following day, Mr Cullen said.

Joseph’s body was found in the park at 8am by a passerby on his way to work. Paramedics at the scene said rigor mortis was present.

Garda Emer Lamon told the coroner she took possession of Joseph's phone at the scene and his messages were analysed. "From this analysis it appears that he owed an individual money and was being threatened with violence if the money was not paid," she said.

The threats were being made over a €400 cannabis debt, Gda Lamon said. They were sent over a number of days going back into the previous month.

She told the court that on December 30th, 2013, Joseph received a message stating: “I want that money today or I am going to smash your head in”.

Messages sent to his phone on January 3rd and 4th were also threatening, the court heard, to both Joseph and his family.

Joseph’s father Derek Connaughton gave evidence that two men called to his house on Friday, January 3rd, looking for his son. He later told the coroner from the body of the court he had never seen these men before and their knock on the door had been heavy and “threatening”.

Gda Lamon said she believes the death was self-inflicted with no third party involvement. She agreed with coroner Dr Brian Farrell that Joseph may have been responding to the threats.

The threats were made from two phone numbers – one was not registered and the other was registered to a false name and address. Joseph had also received calls from these numbers, Gda Lamon told the coroner.

Speaking from the body of the court, Joseph’s brother said he could name one of the men who had called to the house.

Gda Lamon said she had approached the two people believed to have sent the messages. “They are not co-operating and we have no evidence,” she said. “If they are not willing to co-operate or give a statement, our hands are tied.”

Dr Farrell said it may be possible for his office to issue a summons to the person involved compelling him to appear before the inquest.

He adjourned the hearing to May 21st to make further inquiries.