A man who was delighted to have received an invitation to the Fianna Fail press drinks party just before Christmas 1997 was arrested on suspicion of stealing a coat and died of a heart attack while in Garda custody, Dublin City Coroner's Court heard yesterday.
Mr Norman McGrath (48), of Ballyfermot Road, Dublin, collapsed moments after he was brought to Pearse Street Garda station and was pronounced dead at the Meath Hospital at 10 p.m. on December 18th, 1997.
Mr Jim O'Higgins, solicitor for the McGrath family, told the jury Mr McGrath had not taken the coat. He had picked up the wrong coat by mistake and returned it when he realised this.
A post-mortem examination carried out by the State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison, showed that he had a severe level of heart disease and that his death was due to a heart attack. Prof Harbison said the stress caused by his arrest and the amount of alcohol he had consumed might have been contributory factors.
Mr McGrath had a blood alcohol level of 173mg/per cent - more than twice the legal limit for driving.
The Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, said the death clearly was due to the heart attack and the jury returned a verdict of death by natural causes.
Photo-journalist Eamonn Farrell said he was invited to the party and brought Mr McGrath, an old friend, as his guest. When they met outside Buswells Hotel he was surprised Mr McGrath was not wearing his trademark black overcoat but was carrying a light-coloured coat over his arm.
They were together at the party and Mr McGrath was enjoying himself and had about four bottles of beer. They became separated after Mr McGrath went to the toilet and a short time later the former Fianna Fail press officer told him Mr McGrath had been arrested. Later he was told he was dead.
A Dail usher, Mr Michael O'Rourke, said he was in the main reception area of Leinster House and was asked to detain a man carrying a white coat as he was suspected of having stolen a jacket.
Garda Anthony Brennan said he arrested Mr McGrath and took him to Pearse Street Garda station. He formed the opinion he had a considerable amount of alcohol consumed. He said Mr McGrath was steady on his feet but evasive when questioned.
Mr McGrath was giving his details to the member-in-charge at the Garda station when he collapsed and an ambulance was called.