“The inquest in the death of RTÉ broadcaster Gerry Ryan has heard that traces of cocaine found in his system were the likely trigger to a cardiac arrhythmia that resulted in his death.
A 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 nowhere 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, the partner of TV and radio presenter Gerry Ryan 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.”
I have just emailed my pal, who is France, the news. She will be shocked beyond belief. I can’t say that I am.