Key witnesses who forced an inquest into a Co Antrim heroin overdose victim to be adjourned face fines if they fail to turn up again, a coroner warned today.
Patrick Ward (24), from Ballymena, died after injecting the drug and refusing his friends' attempts to get him urgent hospital treatment.
But the hearing into his death in November 2002 was postponed when three people due to give evidence did not attend.
With at least one of them expected to give a crucial account of events surrounding the tragedy, the deputy coroner for Greater Belfast, Mr David Hunter, was forced to adjourn.
He told police officers at Antrim court house: "I want enquiries as to why they haven't turned up. I do want them here next time and they should be informed I have the power to fine them if they do not turn up."
Mr Ward, of Dunclug Park in Ballymena, suffered heroin poisoning, according to examinations after his death. It is understood his friends had difficulties in rousing him after injecting the narcotics and took him to Antrim Area Hospital.
However he refused to go in and is believed to have returned home where he went to sleep. As concerns for him grew he was taken back to hospital but died a short time later.
A total of ten witnesses were called to the coroners court today.