A CO Kerry student who took two ecstasy tablets at a party in Tralee was found hanging from a tree two days later in Phoenix Park, Dublin, an inquest was told yesterday.
Mr David Magnier (19), of Clash West, Tralee, a second year catering student in the local regional technical took a train from Tralee to Dublin after leaving the party with a friend at 5.45 a.m. on January 15th this year.
Mr Danny McCannon, of St Brendan's Park, Tralee, told Dublin Coroner's Court yesterday that after drinks in the Brandon Hotel on January 14th, they went to what he thought was a christening party. But instead the function turned out to be a rave attended by about 20 young people.
He said that Mr Magnier, who was in good spirits, gave him an ecstasy tablet and took one himself. About 3.15 a.m. they went out to a shop and arrived back at the party around 3.45 a.m. Mr Magnier went to a flower pot in the garden and took out a box with a lot of money in it.
Mr McCannon said he told him he got the money from a friend but did not elaborate. They both took an ecstasy tablet each after getting them from a girl.
On leaving the party, Mr Magnier told him he wanted to be home by 7 a.m. as he did not want his mother to know he had been out all night. He was doing a test in college the same day.
However, Mr Magnier walked towards Tralee railway station and Mr McCannon saw he had about £500 on him.
Mr Noel O'Shea, an Office of Public Works employee, said he found Mr Magnier's body hanging from a tree at Klondyke Wood in Phoenix Park around mid day. He immediately alerted gardai.
Garda Colm Usher, of Finglas Garda station, described finding Mr Magnier's body suspended about 20 feet off the ground from a tree.
Sgt Tom Reynolds said that from subsequent Garda inquiries it was established that Mr Magnier had bought a watch in Thornton's Jewellers in O'Connell Street on January 15th, but no other details of his movements in Dublin could be established.
"There were no suspicious circumstances about his death. He had no problem with his studies or college test and he was due to qualify as a chef this year. We cannot establish a reason for his death other than that the ecstasy tablets which he took in Tralee may have contributed to the tragedy."
Dr James Kirrane, the pathologist who carried out an autopsy, said he found no evidence of drugs or alcohol in the body. Death had resulted from asphyxia due to hanging.
Dr Brian Farrell, the Dublin city coroner, returned a verdict of self inflicted hanging.