New type of ecstasy recovered

Gardaí have recovered €30,000 worth of a new and highly dangerous form of ecstasy believed to be linked to the deaths of two …

Gardaí have recovered €30,000 worth of a new and highly dangerous form of ecstasy believed to be linked to the deaths of two men in Kinsale last weekend.

Officers in the West Cork Divisional Drugs squad recovered half a pound of the drug in a field in Bishopstown, Cork city, last night.

The discovery follows on from the investigation in to the deaths of Michael Coleman (22) and Liam Coffey (22) from a suspected drugs overdose in Kinsale last weekend.

The drugs, known as Mandy on the street, are a mixture of methylamphetine (MDMA) and paramethoxymethamphetamine (PMMA).

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Yesterday gardaí appealed to anyone who may have obtained the new form of ecstasy to contact them immediately and also to seek medical assistance if they have consumed the drug.

Supt Eddie MacEoin, who is leading the investigation into the deaths of the two men appealed to anyone who has obtained any quantity of the drug to contact them.

“We would appeal to anyone who got this drug which we believe may be linked to the tragedy in Kinsale to contact us in confidence. We will deal with them fairly but our main concern is to try and get this drug off the streets,” he said.

Supt MacEoin confirmed that an ounce of the drug, which is brown in colour, is selling for about €1,500 and other sources have confirmed to The Irish Times that a typical deal consists of a gramme or “bomb” of the substance, which sells for about €80.

The Irish Times has learned that gardaí are satisfied both Mr Coleman and Mr Coffey obtained the drugs from a drug dealer in the Wilton area of Cork city at about 4pm on Saturday before travelling to Mr Coleman’s rented house in Kinsale.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times