Dublin's drugs epidemic was highlighted by the City Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, yesterday.
After he had conducted inquests into the drug-related deaths of four young people, he said: "It's a profound tragedy." Three of the deaths were from heroin overdoses and one from cocaine poisoning. The four victims were aged between 21 and 28.
Dr Farrell told the visibly distressed families: "Today has been a particularly sad day. It shows the number of young people dying tragically in the drugs epidemic in our city and community at the moment."
Verdicts of death by misadventure were recorded in the four cases, and Dr Farrell said he was particularly impressed by the strength shown by the families in the situation.