Mother of ecstasy victim warns other parents
The mother of a man who died after taking ecstasy said today parents should know the killer drug was freely available on the streets of Northern Ireland.
Marc John Hill Halpin was rushed to hospital late last night after taking the drug at a house in Armagh, but he later died.
His mother, who was too distressed to speak to the media, told police more had to be done to highlight the risks young people were willing to take.
“I would not want to see another child die in such a way. Parents need to be aware that this tablet is out there and is a killer,” she said.
The 20-year-old, from Drumman Park, Armagh, became ill at the house but died later in hospital despite attempts to revive him.
Police who were called to the house in the Alexander Park area of the city were told he had taken ecstasy.
Drug squad officers arrested two men in their 20s for possession of a Class A drug. A third man, aged 18, gave himself up at Armagh police station and was arrested for possession of a Class A drug and supply.
Pat Brannigan, a councillor in the city for 27 years, said the death was a terrible tragedy for the family and the city.
“It can’t be emphasised enough to young people the dangers of this drug, and the chances are they are getting poison fed into their bodies,” Mr Brannigan said.
It is believed this is the third drug-related death to hit the city over a period of several years.
Detectives have warned people who bought the drug to destroy it immediately, regardless of where they got it, or who they got it from. Anyone who has already taken the drug has been advised to seek medical attention even if they do not feel any ill effects.
A post mortem examination will be carried out later today to establish the exact cause of death.
Drugscope, a drugs awareness group, called on authorities to educate people on the dangers of drugs.
A spokeswoman said it was important young people were given access to accurate information on drugs.
