Prisoner died after ingesting package of drugs brought by fiancée, inquest hears

A jury has returned a verdict of death by misadventure in the case of a prisoner who died after ingesting a package he received during a visit.

Prisoner died after ingesting package of drugs brought by fiancée, inquest hears

By Louise Roseingrave

A jury has returned a verdict of death by misadventure in the case of a prisoner who died after ingesting a package he received during a visit.

Kevin Byrne (23), an inmate at Wheatfield Prison, Dublin 22 received a package of drugs from his fiancée two days before Christmas 2014. He placed the package in his mouth and refused to relinquish it to prison staff. He was found collapsed in his cell the following day.

Garda Thomas Doyle said Mr Byrne’s then fiance Danielle Hayes made a voluntary statement to gardaí following the incident and gave a detailed account of her visit.

“She said she was asked by Kevin Byrne, whom she maintained was under threat, to bring in a package of drugs. She passed this during a visit. She stated when prison officers approached Mr Byrne he put the package in his mouth,” Garda Doyle said.

The garda said it was unclear why the prisoner pressured his fiancée to bring drugs into the prison.

State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy found evidence of heroin and diazepam at autopsy. Professor Cassidy said there was no evidence the inmate had injected the drugs and they were most likely taken orally.

“This was a drug related death due to the inhalation of gastric contents due to heroin and diazepam intoxication,” Professor Cassidy said.

The drugs irritated the lining of the man’s stomach and he vomited. He was drowsy due to drug intoxication and this affected his gag reflex, Dublin Coroner’s Court heard.

“It’s likely Mr Byrne ingested heroin and diazepam into his system and this caused irritation of his stomach lining and this caused vomiting and in his drowsy state he was not able to protect his airway,” Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane said.

Mr Byrne was found unresponsive in his cell by prison staff at 8.10am on December 24.

The jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure endorsed a number of changes implemented at the prison. The coroner sympathised with the man’s family.

"It must be difficult to hear that evidence and remember your loved one who died. We hope in some way this process has assisted you further,” Dr Cullinane said.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Russian invasion of Ukraine Demand for State-provided beds to Ukrainians decreasing
Armagh crash Police conducting ‘thorough and sensitive’ investigation into fatal Armagh crash
Rose Dugdale funeral Rose Dugdale never regretted swapping privileged life for the IRA, funeral told
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited