Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 October 2012
453. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in view of the recent deaths in Cork, and the serious illness of others, from high strength heroin, if the remaining high strength heroin has been seized and the individual responsible for making this heroin available arrested. [44252/12]
View answerI would firstly extend my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the two young men who tragically lost their lives recently in Cork City in what would appear to be drug related deaths.
I am advised by the Health authorities that the Health Services Executive Addiction Services issued a public health warning on Friday 5 October 2012 based on reports of these deaths which occurred at two separate locations in Cork City on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 October 2012.
This warning also issued following reports of three persons who presented to the Emergency Departments in Cork hospitals during that period requiring urgent medical treatment following suspected drug overdose.
I am further advised that there have been no similar incidents reported in the interim period and whilst all HSE staff are remaining vigilant the Health authorities have subsequently stood down the national alert. Should there be any further incidents the alert will be escalated again and issued nationally if required.
I have also been advised by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána's investigation into these matters is at an advanced stage.
Furthermore, all of the circumstances of the deaths of the two young men will be fully investigated in the course of Coroner inquests which will be informed by the results of toxicology tests.
Given that the Garda investigations into these matters are ongoing it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further at this point.
However, I would like to acknowledge the close interagency working that has been taking place between the Mercy University Hospital Cork, the HSE and the Gardaí both locally in Cork and nationally in dealing with these tragic events.
