A coroner has issued an urgent warning after two men died and a third man was rushed to hospital after taking contaminated alcoholic drinks.
County Donegal coroner John Cannon was speaking after he opened the inquests into the deaths of two men. The third man was treated at Letterkenny General Hospital. He believes the drink was either poitín or contraband ‘fake’ drinks.
Mr Cannon made the public warning, fearing other people may consume drinks contaminated with deadly chemicals, and most likely illegally made or contraband products.
The cases related to Denis Boyle and Rimantas Grigaliumas, both from Belcruit, Meenbanad, Burtonport, Co Donegal. Mr Boyle died on December 18, 2013. Mr Grigaliumas, died on March 13 last.
The coroner was concerned that the cause of death in both cases was alcohol related with an exceedingly high level of poisonous contaminant.
The evidence given by investigating gardaí at the inquest in Letterkenny stated that both men had been drinking heavily immediately before their deaths.
The coroner said the toxic and poison range of methanol is 100 to 125 milligrammes per decilitre and in one of those deaths the methanol level was five times higher — at 585.
Sergeant Bridget McGowan indicated that a third person had been admitted to hospital and it was believed this serious illness may have also been caused by methanol or some other contaminant.
Source: Stephen Maguire, Irish Examiner, 04/04/14
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