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Man discovered in churchyard after drugs overdose
A HOMELESS man who was found dead from a drug overdose in a Soho churchyard had three children in care and was desperate to shake off his heroin addiction, an inquest has heard.
Robert Darcy, 38, described as a “complete gentleman” by his brother Gerard, was found dead last November in St Giles in the Fields on Denmark Street, with used syringes lying beside him. His body was found by a parks attendant.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard how Robert, a labourer, had been living in a hostel in south London prior to his death but appeared to have been living rough for some months.
Gerard had not spoken to his brother since Christmas 2006 when he travelled to Dublin, and did not know his girlfriend. He learned from Mr Darcy’s former partner that he had met someone else who also slept rough at St Giles in the Fields.
Gerard described how Robert – who started using heroin at 15 – had been trying “for years and years” to get off the drugs and was enrolled in a rehabilitation programme at The Priory hospital a year before his death.
Coroner Dr Andrew Reid, ruling that he died from drug abuse, said: “The Christmas before he died he was engaging in drug rehabilitation. Sadly, despite his efforts he was unable to shake off his habit.”
Gerard said his brother had dreamed of returning to Dublin to live with his children and be closer to his mother, three brothers and two sisters
“He wanted to be a bricklayer like me and move back to Dublin and bring his kids back,” he added.
“He was a complete gentleman.” |
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