A university graduate died after taking ecstasy for the first time while celebrating his best friend's 21st birthday, an inquest in Britain heard yesterday.
Mr Brian Scannell, who lived with his parents in Clonakilty, Co Cork, was tempted after seeing other clubbers at Camden Palace, London, enjoying themselves after taking the drug, but hours after taking it himself he collapsed.
He was taken to hospital but was declared brain-dead three days later, and the life-support machine he was on was switched off.
Mr Scannell was described as a popular young man in his home town. His remains were returned to west Cork more than two weeks ago when the local community turned out to pay its respects.
His father, Mr Denis Scannell, and his mother, Maura, attended the inquest in London yesterday. He is survived by his brother, Owen (23), and sister, Deirdre (19). The family runs the Mick Finn's pub in Clonakilty.
