Cocaine 'likely' factor in Gerry Ryan's death

Cocaine 'likely' factor in Gerry Ryan's death
Friday 10 December 2010

A Coroner has told the inquest into the death of RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan that traces of cocaine found during toxicology tests were the likely trigger that led to a cardiac arrhythmia that resulted in his death.

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The coroner said that Mr Ryan's heart was normal, but he said traces of cocaine were found in his system during toxicology tests carried out at Beaumont Hospital and at the State Laboratory.

He said that alcohol levels in Mr Ryan's system were no where near the level that would cause complications.

Mr Ryan, 53, was found dead at his apartment at Upper Leeson Street in Dublin on 30 April.

Earlier, Gerry Ryan's partner denied that he used cocaine in the hours before his death.

Melanie Verwoerd was speaking at the inquest for the RTÉ broadcaster at the Dublin City Coroner's Court.

Asked by Coroner Brian Farrell if 'cocaine was ever an issue', Ms Verwoerd said 'absolutely not'.

Ms Verwoerd said one of the ground rules of their relationship was that drugs were not acceptable. She said in the two years they were together nothing had been used.

Ms Verwoerd said that the pressures of finalising his separation from his wife Morah, as well as enormous pressure from RTÉ and his work, had begun to take a toll on Mr Ryan.

She said that he was constantly waking in the middle of the night, sweating and feeling very unwell.

Ms Verwoerd said she was 'incredibly' concerned about him and he had told her he was 'totally banjaxed' and felt very tired.

She said the pressure Mr Ryan was under was never openly obvious to people as he was a 'showman'.

He would give private signals to her during social events when he was unwell and had to leave. She said this was a fairly common occurrence.

Ms Verwoerd said that changes in sick leave policy in RTÉ had resulted in Mr Ryan feeling he could not take time off work even though he was unwell.

Friends of Mr Ryan have been describing the last hours of his life.

Several witnesses at the inquest have said he was in good form and enjoyed a meal in Town Bar and Grill and a few drinks, before going home at around 10.45pm on the night before his death.

Ms Verwoerd described finding Mr Ryan's body on the floor of his bedroom, lying wrapped in bedclothes beside his bed.

She said it was immediately apparent he was cold and stiff and had been dead for some time.

Mr Ryan's wife Morah and his son Rex also attended the inquest, along with colleagues from 2FM.

Mr Ryan's GP, Dr Tony Crosby, said that Mr Ryan was suffering from 'severe stress and anxiety' as a result of a number of factors.

He said he had seen Mr Ryan on 22 April, just a few days before Mr Ryan's death.

Dr Crosby said he had prescribed some drugs to assist with his condition.

He said Mr Ryan was normally very open and forthright about how he was feeling but made no complaint about chest pains.

He said Gerry Ryan had told him was not sleeping, was feeling very stressed, and was quite anxious