An 18-year-old Dundalk man died as a result of taking nine ecstasy tablets, an inquest heard today.
The level of ecstasy in Gavin Duffy's body was one of the highest ever recorded in the State, according to Louth County Coroner, Ronan Maguire.
The family of Mr Duffy said the death of their son highlighted the dangers of taking the drug.
The inquest heard that Mr Duffy had spent much of his last day drinking.
On the night of 11 April last there was a party in his house where he told a friend that he had taken nine ecstasy tablets.
His father, Peter Duffy, said that at around 1.30am the following morning he returned home and saw his son lying on his back in bed.
He was making strange movements, lifting his arm and leg at the same time, and Mr Duffy called an ambulance.
He acknowledged that his son had taken ecstasy 'once or twice' in the past.
The 18-year-old was taken to Louth County Hospital were he was later pronounced dead.
Toxicology reports
The coroner said that toxicology reports revealed a reading of 267mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.
The tests also showed a reading of nine micrograms of MDMA - the drug in ecstasy - per millilitre of blood.
Mr Maguire described that as 'an absolutely enormous level'. He recorded a verdict of death my misadventure due to MDMA toxicity.
The coroner said Mr Duffy's death was a terrible tragedy which reinforced the message that ecstasy can and does kill people.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Duffy said his son had just become a father before he died and also warned that the drug can kill those who take it.
