A 36-year-old heroin addict died of a rapidly spreading infection which developed after he injected heroin into his groin, an inquest at Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Mr Stephen Prendergast of Cappagh Drive, Finglas, died at Beaumont Hospital on February 15th, 2000, and the deputy state pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, said the post-mortem examination was inconclusive. The inquest heard Mr Prendergast injected heroin on February 8th and became ill soon after. He went to Blanchardstown Hospital on February 13th and was transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where one of his legs was amputated. On February 15th his family was told a further operation was required but, according to the medical reports supplied by the hospital, the infection was spreading visibly and Mr Prendergast died.
The inquest was adjourned to March 23rd for further investigation.