‘It could have happened to anybody’

The mother of a young man who died after consuming a large volume of alcohol over the course of a day and night is warning young people against binge drinking.

Martina Cronin was speaking to the Celt following the recent conclusion of her son Shane’s inquest – which recorded a verdict of death by misadventure.

Shane Mullen (Cronin) from Laragh Cresent in Cavan Town died in his sleep on October 4, 2022, after he lost consciousness. He did not suffer and was found on the steps of Jubilee Terrace by a postman the following morning.

“It was an accident, it could have happened to anybody,” Martina told the Celt.

Shane was 27 when he died and would have celebrated his 28th birthday next month, on July 5.

Martina described her son as “happy go lucky”, including the last time she saw him.

“He didn’t have a bad bone in his body. He would go out of his way to do anything for you. He would go to Dublin for you if you asked.”

His father Eugene Mullen agreed: “He was the most obliging young fella you could ever meet.”

Shane’s parents say his death is felt deeply by his large family of siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins and many friends – all of whom regularly lay flowers and gifts at a tribute erected in his memory at Jubilee Terrace where he died.

“Shane is missed so much, from the day he died right up to now and we will never forget him,” said Martina.

She’s keen to emphasise that while there were “therapeutic levels” of legal drugs found in Shane’s system following his death, as stated at the inquest; Shane was against any hard drugs and didn’t take them.

Martina is appealing to young people to monitor their alcohol consumption, not to drink shorts and to never mix drink with drugs of any type.

She and Eugene want to spare another family the hurt, upset and loss they are feeling at Shane’s passing.

“If it only saves one young person – watch your binge drinking, think on it. You are not invincible as Shane thought he was,” concluded Martina.

The grieving couple thanked everyone who tried to help Shane the morning he was found and also their family, friends and the wider community for their ongoing support since his sad passing.

“He is so sadly missed, every day,” said Eugene.