Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS Published: 15 January 2009
Patrick Sweeney
Alcohol blamed for man’s death
AN out-of-work barman died from alcohol poisoning after falling over in the street, an inquest heard on Tuesday. Patrick Sweeney, 44, was found dead in his Broomfield House home in Ferdinand Street, Chalk Farm, in October after falling over in Malden Crescent earlier that day.
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid found he had died from alcohol abuse after fatal levels were discovered in his urine and ruled out a connection with the fall. Dr Reid said Mr Sweeney had only been drinking heavily in recent years.
Dublin-born Mr Sweeney, a former barman who once worked in the Unicorn pub in Camden Road, was one of six boys.
On the morning of his death he had fallen over near to his home and was spotted by his neighbour, Oswald Ellis, surrounded by passers-by, disorientated and sitting on the pavement. Mr Ellis said: “He was one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. A great neighbour and a good friend.”
Verdict: natural causes.