No one else at risk after drug-related deaths at party

GARDAÍ IN Cork investigating the deaths of two men from suspected drug overdoses at a Christmas party believe they have traced everyone who attended the party and that no one else is at risk.

Gardaí under Supt Tom Myers of Mayfield station have spent much of the past two days trying to establish the whereabouts and wellbeing of up to 10 people who attended the party at Rockgrove Terrace on the Lower Glanmire Road.

They confirmed yesterday that they had accounted for the remainder of those at the party at the house, and that all were safe and well.

The confirmation came as Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster completed her post-mortem on the body of John O’Donoghue (32), who died in hospital early on St Stephen’s Day.

Mr O’Donoghue took ill at his flat at Rockgrove Terrace at about 8.20pm on Christmas Day and was taken by ambulance to the Mercy University Hospital, where he later died.

His death came just over 12 hours after the first victim, John Foley (33), was found dead in bed in another flat in the four-storey house, which is divided into over 20 flats.

The two men had attended the same party in a number of flats in the house at which people had consumed a combination of drugs including heroin, methadone and Xanax.

Gardaí believe both men died after taking a cocktail of drugs at the party, but will have to await the results of toxicology tests to definitively confirm the men died of drug overdoses.

They said it would take six to eight weeks before the results of the toxicology tests carried out at postmortem by Dr Bolster become known.

Gardaí sealed off the scene of both deaths in the house and Garda technical experts carried out an examination, while also removing a number of prescription medicines as exhibits.

Supt Myers said gardaí would now set about preparing a comprehensive file on both deaths for the Cork City Coroner’s Court.

The deaths were a tragedy for both families particularly at this time of year, said Supt Myers, as he expressed his condolences to both the Foley and O’Donoghue families.