Cocaine A Factor In Gerry Ryan's Death

The inquest into the death of popular broadcaster Gerry Ryan has heard that traces of cocaine were found in his system during his autopsy.

Pathologist Dr Eamon Lean, who carried out the post mortem examination, said the drug was the most likely trigger for the heart problem that led to his sudden death on April 30th this year.

The inquest also heard that Mr Ryan was under huge personal and financial pressure.

Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell returned a verdict of death by misadventure at the inquest on Friday last.

Dr Lean said Gerry Ryan's heart had chronic scarring which was most likely caused by previous cocaine use.

Toxicology tests carried out at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin and the State Laboratory found metabolites of cocaine in his blood and urine, along with metabolites that the body creates when cocaine is mixed with alcohol - all suggesting recent use of the drug.

Dr Lean said the level of alcohol in Mr Ryan's system was nowhere near enough to cause complications.

Questioned by the legal team for Mr Ryan's family, Dr Lean agreed that the levels of cocaine detected were "low", but said given the existing heart condition he had, even small amounts of cocaine could have been enough to trigger the cardiac arrhythmia that killed him.

The inquest also heard that Ryan was under extreme stress in the weeks before his death due to three factors: his separation from his wife, work problems and financial worries.

Melanie Verwoerd, the TV and radio presenter's partner at the time of his death, gave evidence that she had become concerned about his welfare, as he was constantly waking the in middle of night, feeling unwell.

She said the because of changes to sick leave policies in RTE, he felt he could not take time off work even though he felt sick.

His GP gave evidence that he had seen Gerry Ryan just a few days before his death, and prescribed medication to help him deal with the anxiety and stress.

After the verdict was returned, Ms Verwoerd - who is the head of Unicef Ireland - said she was shocked by the toxicology results.

"Gerry knew how strongly I felt against drugs and had made a promise at the beginning of our relationship that he would not use any drugs," she said in a statement.

"As far as I know that is a promise that he kept for two years and until the night of his death.

"I had not seen Gerry during his last day and was not with him on the night of his death so I will probably never know exactly what happened, or why.

"What I do know is that Gerry was a warm, caring and generous man who was under huge stress personally, professionally and financially."

Ms Verwoerd said she had been left devastated by the loss of her partner and now by the outcome of the inquest.

"Today is a horrendously difficult day for everyone," she said.

Gerry's estranged wife Morah and his son Rex also attended the inquest and afterwards released as statement of behalf of his family, saying they were glad the day was now over.

"He lived life to the full - it made him who he was. He loved us and we loved him. We are proud to be his family," it said.

Morah Ryan appealed to anyone feeling stress or pressure to seek help.

"Gerry was a communicator and yet he too struggled," the statement said, "If today is to mean something, it is to offer encouragement.

"If it is to have a message, it is that there is always someone to share your problem with, someone to offer professional advice and someone to shine a light into your life when you need it most."

She thanked the public for all the messages of sympathy and support the family had received since his body was found at his Leeson Street apartment in Dublin on April 30th.

"We are very grateful and take enormous comfort from the fact that Gerry was part of the daily lives of so many people and that, in his own inimitable way, he entertained, listened, helped and gave a voice to so many people."

Gerry Ryan's morning radio show - a mix of current affairs, irreverent humour and listener phone-ins - on RTE 2fm was the station's most popular program.