Coroner warns of danger of recreational helium use after man's tragic death
A coroner has warned of the dangers of helium for recreational use after hearing how a 32-year-old factory worker was found dead last December in a house he shared with his parents in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.
The inquest into the death of Stefan Danicic, a Croatian national, was conducted in Ballina Courthouse by the Coroner for the District of Mayo, Dr. Eleanor Fitzgerald.
The deceased's father, Karim, in a deposition to Gardaí read to the inquest, said his wife (Snezana) screamed after discovering their son lying dead on the floor of his bedroom at St. Gerard's Court, Ballyhaunis, on December 13 last.
An empty canister of helium was found in the bed beside the body.
There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, Garda David Brandley outlined in a statement which was read into evidence at the hearing.
Medical evidence was given to the inquest that Mr. Danicic died from asphyxiation due to helium inhalation.
After hearing all the evidence, Coroner Fitzgerald said it was the first such case she had come across in her time as a coroner.
'Helium is very toxic,' the coroner stated.
'There is a lack of awareness as to how dangerous it is. It is very easy to obtain. It displaces oxygen from the airways leading to asphyxia.'
The coroner said that death from helium use can be more instant than for alcohol or other drugs.
She recorded a verdict of misadventure.
The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tributes pour for 'lovely young man' who died in Laois road accident
Tributes have poured in for a 'lovely young man' after he tragically died in a car crash in Laois. Colm Lynch-O'Sullivan, aged in his 20s, sadly lost his life following a single vehicle road traffic collision at Ballaghmore, Borris-in-Ossory, Co. Laois in the early hours of Thursday morning. Gardaí and emergency services were alerted to the collision on the R445 at approximately 3.15am, but tragically Colm, the sole occupant of the car, was pronounced dead at the scene. Colm will be remembered by his loving parents Olive and Con, as well as his adoring brothers and many extended family members and many friends. Tributes have poured in from far and wide for the young man following his passing. One mourner wrote: 'Terrible sad to hear of Colm's tragic passing, such a lovely young man. May he rest in peace.' Another penned: 'I wish to express my Sincere Sympathies and Condolences to the Lynch and O'Sullivan Families at this Sad time. Rest In Peace Colm you have been taken much too young.' A third added: 'Heartfelt condolences to Colm mother, father, brothers, friends and extended families on the truly heartbreaking loss of a life so young and precious. 'May all of the happy times you shared with Colm bring you some joy in the times ahead. Rest in peace. Thinking also about the first responders who attended to Colm'. While one more wrote: 'Sincere sympathy to Con and Olive on sudden death of your son Colm thinking of you both at this difficult time my heart goes out to you both may his gentle soul rest in eternal peace'. Colm's funeral arrangements will be released in time. May he rest in peace. Gardaí are appealing for witnesses to the collision to come forward. A Garda spokesperson said: "Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the area between 3am and 3.30am are asked to make it available to Gardaí. "Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on (057) 8674100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station." The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Health food supplement sold online recalled due to presence of Salmonella
A popular health food supplement sold online is being recalled due to the presence of Salmonella. The Food Safety Authority of Ireland warned consumers that all batches and best before dates of Orgenism Eggshell Membrane Capsules that are sold on Amazon are being recalled due to the presence of Salmonella. Eggshell membrane capsules are health food supplements made from the thin layer found between the eggshell and egg white that reduce joint pain and stiffness and improve joint flexibility. The FSAI has now issued a recall for Orgenism Eggshell Membrane Capsules; pack size: 60 capsules, 500 mg per serving with all batch codes and all best before dates due to the presence of Salmonella. People infected with Salmonella typically develop symptoms between 12 and 36 hours after infection, but this can range between six and 72 hours. The most common symptom is diarrhoea, which can sometimes be bloody. Other symptoms may include fever, headache and abdominal cramps. The illness usually lasts four to seven days. Diarrhoea can occasionally be severe enough to require hospital admission. The elderly, infants and those with impaired immune systems are more likely to have a severe illness. Retailers are requested to remove the implicated batches from sale and display recall notices at point-of-sale. Wholesalers/distributors are requested to contact their affected customers and recall the implicated batches and provide a point-of-sale recall notice to their retail customers. Caterers should not use the implicated batches and consumers are advised not to eat the implicated batches. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
Irish Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Coroner warns of danger of recreational helium use after man's tragic death
A coroner has warned of the dangers of helium for recreational use after hearing how a 32-year-old factory worker was found dead last December in a house he shared with his parents in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo. The inquest into the death of Stefan Danicic, a Croatian national, was conducted in Ballina Courthouse by the Coroner for the District of Mayo, Dr. Eleanor Fitzgerald. The deceased's father, Karim, in a deposition to Gardaí read to the inquest, said his wife (Snezana) screamed after discovering their son lying dead on the floor of his bedroom at St. Gerard's Court, Ballyhaunis, on December 13 last. An empty canister of helium was found in the bed beside the body. There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, Garda David Brandley outlined in a statement which was read into evidence at the hearing. Medical evidence was given to the inquest that Mr. Danicic died from asphyxiation due to helium inhalation. After hearing all the evidence, Coroner Fitzgerald said it was the first such case she had come across in her time as a coroner. 'Helium is very toxic,' the coroner stated. 'There is a lack of awareness as to how dangerous it is. It is very easy to obtain. It displaces oxygen from the airways leading to asphyxia.' The coroner said that death from helium use can be more instant than for alcohol or other drugs. She recorded a verdict of misadventure. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
