AN inquest was told yesterday that a heroin user collapsed after overdosing in a Dun Laoghaire public park while a group of substance abusers and addicts enjoyed an open air party last year.
The Dublin County Coroner remarked: "It's a sad reflection on our national culture that this young man could die in the centre of Dun Laoghaire in such a fashion in broad daylight in the middle of summer.
Mr John Smailes (38), of Lambay Drive, Ballybrack, Co Dublin, had consumed a large quantity of alcohol and then injected himself with heroin at the party in the Pavilion; grounds on Marine Road on June 13th.
Sgt John Sheridan told the Dublin County Coroner's court in Dun Laoghaire that Mr Smailes collapsed at the party and died the following day in St Michael's Hospital nearby.
He said: "Many of those, there at the party were drug, abusers themselves and I am, satisfied nothing sinister had, happened. But while preparing a report for this inquest not one of the large number of persons were prepared to co operate. They also refused to come forward to help with this inquest."
A post mortem showed that the deceased had a blood alcohol count of 339mg, as well as a quantity of heroin and sedatives. Dr Bartley Sheehan recorded a verdict of death due to a combination of an overdose of opiates and a high level of alcohol.