A verdict of death due to misadventure was returned by a jury at an inquest in Limerick yesterday on a 19-year-old Estonian man, Mr Maksim Gorbov of Narva, who took ill on a KLM flight from Lima, Peru, to Amsterdam on December 28th last, reports Arthur Quinlan, in Limerick.
The aircraft diverted to Shannon Airport after he reported to the cabin crew that he had swallowed capsules containing cocaine and he died the next day at the Mid West Regional Hospital.
The body was found to have contained 98 capsules of cocaine weighing 676 grammes or almost three-quarters of a kilo.
Dr Geoffrey de Freitas, who carried out a post-mortem examination on the body, said that death was due to acute cardiac failure caused by ingestion of a toxic amount of cocaine.
It was said that, following his admission to the hospital, Mr Gorbov passed 25 capsules found to contain cocaine. His condition deteriorated shortly after 1 a.m. on December 29th and he died 50 minutes later.
Dr de Freitas said he recovered a further 69 cylindrical capsules from the body of the young man. His liver was enlarged and his kidneys congested.
Dr Tony Casey, the coroner for south-east Limerick, was told that there were no relatives present. The body will later be taken to Dublin to be viewed by the parents before cremation.
Farmer fined for animal cruelty
An elderly farmer and publican, John Cullen, of Redcross, Co Wicklow, was fined €400 at Rathdrum Court yesterday on one charge of cruelty to animals, while 17 other charges were taken into consideration.
Sgt Martin McAndrew, who visited the farm several times last year following complaints, told Judge Donnachadh O'Buachalla yesterday that the defendant had paid €4,000 to the Wicklow Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Two get bail on 'Real IRA' charges
Two Limerick men charged with membership of the "Real IRA" have been granted bail by Mr Justice White in the High Court, but with restrictions on their movements.
Mr Christopher Dineen (54), Sarsfield Court, Garryowen, and Mr James Bullman (38), Maigue Way, Carew Park, have been two months in custody charged with membership of the "Real IRA" and possession of Semtex and ammunition.
Pet crematorium issue put back
The High Court has reserved judgment on a dispute between elected members of Wicklow County Council and the county manager over a decision granting permission for the conversion of a milking parlour for use as a pet crematorium.
Woman drove at 112 m.p.h.
A 22-year-old woman who was detected travelling on the Arklow by-pass at speeds between 93 and 112 m.p.h. told a court yesterday that she panicked when her baby in the back of the car started to feel unwell.
Michelle Butler's solicitor, Mr Carl Kearney, said his client was speeding to get off the dual carriagway so that she could change drivers and take care of her baby.
Butler, of Palmerstown Lawns, Dublin, was before the court for dangerous driving and exceeding the speed limit at Ballynattin on June 2nd last year and also for driving with no insurance.
Judge Donnachadh O'Buachalla said he would fine her €100 on the speeding charge, endorse her licence and disqualify her from driving for six months.