A MAN who was found dead in his home in Cork yesterday afternoon may have been poisoned after drinking a home-made brew.
The 66-year-old, was found unresponsive by gardai who rushed to an emergency call received at around 4pm.
They found the man, who is originally from Poland, lying unresponsive on a couch in the living room of his home in Midleton.
Paramedics were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead at the scene, a short time later.
His wife was also found in an unwell state but conscious at the bottom of the stairs.
She was treated by paramedics in the apartment before she was rushed by ambulance to Cork University Hospital where she was treated for suspected alcohol poisoning.
Sources say that gardai found a number of bottles in the apartment and believe the couple may have consumed lethal home-made alcohol.
The bottles have been taken into evidence and are being sent to the forensic science laboratory for analysis.
A postmortem examination will be done by assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster today.
Gardai hope the results will reveal the cause of death but, because of the unusual nature of the death, toxicology tests will also have to be done.
All of this will determine the course of the Garda investigations.
If, as suspected, the death and illness was caused by the consumption of a dangerous alcohol product, they will be seeking to establish if there is more of this in circulation and from where it was originally sourced by the couple.
Gardai have spoken to the couple’s daughter who told them she had been in contact with her parents within the last few days.
Investigating officers are not treating the death and the illness as suspicious.
They have ruled out foul play and have found nothing to indicate anyone else was in the apartment.
DEATH ‘CURRENTLY UNEXPLAINED’
The man’s death will be the subject of an inquest in the Coroner’s Court.
In a statement gardai said “Gardai in Midleton have commenced an investigation following the discovery of a body in Co Cork on 24th February 2025.
“Shortly after 4pm, Gardai responded to a report of an incident at a residential property in Broomfield West, Midleton, where an adult male (understood to be in his 60s) was found unresponsive. He was pronounced deceased at the scene a short time later.
“An adult female who was also present was treated at the scene and transported by ambulance to Cork University Hospital.
“The scene is preserved for forensic examination. The local Coroner has been notified, and a post-mortem examination by the State Pathologist will be arranged.
“The man’s death is currently unexplained, and the post-mortem results will assist Gardai in determining the course of their investigations”.
Gardai in Midleton are appealing for any information that may prove useful in their enquiries.
