A HEARTBROKEN Irish mother has spoken of her devastation after losing three of her sons to heroin overdoses in the past four years.
Carmel Kidney, 63, was speaking at the Cork Coroner’s inquest into the death of her latest son to die, Alan.
He was found dead aged just 44 at a house in Bandon, Co. Cork on June 13, 2017.
Mr Kidney had previously lost two of his three brothers to heroin overdoses, after John Kidney, 37, died in September 2014 and his twin brother Fergus died in June 2016.
Their devastated mother fought back the tears as she spoke briefly at Alan’s inquest about losing three of her six children in a three-year period.
“I can’t bring them back. I am heartbroken as a mother,” Ms Kidney said.
“I am devastated. I have three funerals to pay for. It has been so hard for me here. It has torn us up – ripped us apart.
"Drugs kill and that is something everyone needs to understand.
She added: “They will destroy you.”
Coroner Frank O'Connell returned a verdict of death by drugs overdose after hearing medical evidence that Alan Kidney passed away after taking heroin, methadone and benzodiazepine.
He said that the polydrug use resulted in a coma and death.
Mr O’Connell added that people tend to stereotype drug users but he had seen Alan testify at his brother’s inquest and had received good reports about his character.
“It is quite shocking that would happen in one family, that three would die, two of them twins,” he said.
“I have never heard, let alone seen anything the like of this. It is terribly sad.”
