Foster died from ‘methadone intoxication’

An inquest has heard that a man discovered unconscious in a cell in Coolock Garda Station died from methadone intoxication.

Dwayne Foster from Woodbank Avenue in Finglas was being questioned about the murder of Donna Cleary.

The 22-year-old mother of a young child was shot dead at a party in a house in Coolock in March 2006.

The Dublin City Coroner has been summarising the evidence for the seven-member jury at today's closing stages of the inquest into Mr Foster's death.

The Coroner's Court heard that Dr Peadar Kirk twice prescribed the heroin substitute to Mr Foster while in garda custody.

Mr Foster had told Dr Kirk that he was on a maintenance programme in Ballymun.

However, he was not on any such programme or on the National Drug Treatment Centre's methadone list.

The 24-year-old later died in hospital.

Gardaí said Mr Foster's arrest was forceful, as he resisted and had to be restrained.

Mr Foster sustained minor injuries but coroner Dr Brian Farrell said none either caused or contributed to his death.

Wayne Hart, who was in a cell across from Mr Foster in Coolock Garda Station, said he shouted across to see if he was alright and Mr Foster told him he was grand. Mr Foster was seen four times by doctors while in custody.

Dr Kirk said he had many years of experience in dealing with drug addicts in garda stations.

He believed that Mr Foster was credible and, in his clinical experience, it was reasonable to prescribe methadone.

The doctor said he was unable to contact the Ballymun clinic where Mr Foster claimed he was a patient.

The jury has retired to consider its verdict.

Source: RTE News 17/09/2010