A Dublin man who was found dead after he apparently tried to hang himself in his home may have been involved in a sleepwalking accident, an inquest has heard.
Paul Nugent (29), of Glenhill Grove, Finglas, was described by his family as a well-adjusted young man with no history of mental illness. However, he had been known on many occasions to sleepwalk and would occasionally rearrange furniture without any recollection of having done so the next day, according to his father, Paul Nugent snr.
Mr Nugent had never suffered from mental illness and had plans to buy a house and take his driving test to become a bus driver. "He had too many plans for the future. This was completely out of character." his father added.
He was found by his parents lying on the staircase at home with one end of a belt around his neck and the other wrapped to the bannisters on February 18th, 2005.
Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell recorded an open verdict on his death. He said it was significant the belt was wrapped around the bannister and not tied, which suggested it was something that could have been done by someone who was not fully awake.