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John Leckey likens new drug as being similar to 'serial killer on the loose' Drugs: Twenty NI deaths likened to 'serial killer'
(35 minutes later)
A coroner has likened a new unregulated drug that was introduced in Northern Ireland last year as being similar to having a serial killer on the loose. Twenty deaths have now been linked to a new unregulated drug that was introduced in Northern Ireland last year.
John Leckey made his comments at an inquest in Belfast which is looking at the drug-related deaths of six people in NI. A coroner has likened the deaths to having a serial killer on the loose.
John Leckey made his comments at one of several inquests in Belfast which is looking at the drug-related deaths of six people in NI.
The drug has a number of street names including speckled cherries and speckled crosses.The drug has a number of street names including speckled cherries and speckled crosses.
The inquest heard it had been linked to 19 deaths in NI and eight in Hungary. The substance in question is called para-methyl-4-methylaminorex or 4,4'-DMAR
The inquest is examining the deaths five men and a woman in Northern Ireland between June last year and February. The inquests are examining the deaths of five men in Northern Ireland between June last year and February.
They were aged between 27 and 41.They were aged between 27 and 41.
The PSNI said a senior detective had been co-ordinating the investigations into drug-related deaths.
Det Supt Andrea McMullan said: "The substance is para-methyl-4-methylaminorex and is not confined to one particular brand of tablet.
"It has been identified in a number of tablets and in a number of deaths.
"People should not lull themselves into a false sense of security by thinking if they avoid tablet X and only take tablet Y or Z they'll be ok.
"The tragic reality is they will not. Anyone who takes illegal drugs runs a serious risk of causing themselves serious harm or killing themselves. There is no safe illegal drug."
Police investigations into the drugs-related deaths last summer resulted in a total of 11 arrests. One person has appeared in court.
Three others were awaiting court proceedings but one has since died.
The inquests this week: