Court told of methadone dependency

A GARDA Sergeant told Dublin City Coroner’s Court he did not know that Dwayne Foster, who died after being in Garda custody, was a methadone dependent patient.

Sgt Michael Gormley, attached to Coolock Garda station, was present during part of Mr Foster’s detention before the former heroin addict died of a suspected methadone overdose on March 7th, 2006.

Mr Foster (24), of Woodbank Avenue, Finglas, Dublin, was discovered unresponsive in Coolock Garda station and was taken to Beaumont Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

He was questioned in connection with the death of Donna Cleary who was shot dead on the previous weekend. Sgt Gormley told the inquest into Mr Foster’s death that he had been present in the cell with Dr Peader Kirk, who administered a 30ml dose of methadone to the prisoner on the morning of March 6th.

Sgt Gormley said that he knew Mr Foster had received a 40ml dose on the day before his detention but was not aware that he was methadone dependent. Counsel for the Foster family, Michael Finucane, suggested to Sgt Gormley he must have known of Mr Foster’s methadone dependency.

Sgt Gormley defended his presence in the interview room with Dr Kirk. “Every prisoner is potentially dangerous,” he said. However, Mr Finucane said Dr Kirk had previously stated he had a “strong preference” to see prisoners on his own. The inquest continues.