Northern Ireland

Man dies of suspected drug overdose in KFC

Forensics at the scene of a sudden death at a KFC outlet in north Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell
Forensics at the scene of a sudden death at a KFC outlet in north Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell Forensics at the scene of a sudden death at a KFC outlet in north Belfast. Picture by Hugh Russell

A MAN in his late thirties has died from a suspected drug overdose at a KFC outlet at a shopping centre in north Belfast.

The man was found in the toilets of the fast food outlet at Yorkgate just after 2pm yesterday.

It is understood restaurant staff and paramedics tried to revive him but he died at the scene.

The restaurant was sealed off for several hours last night.

A police spokeswoman said officers were treating the case as a "sudden death".

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried within the next few days.

An ambulance service spokesman said: "After 2pm today we received reports of a male in his late thirties unconscious at Yorkgate.

"We attended with a rapid response paramedic and accident and emergency crew.

"Nobody was taken from the scene."

The death comes amid concerns about drug abuse and drug dealing in north Belfast.

Last month, Translink removed shrubs and bushes from the nearby Yorkgate train station amid complaints about alleged heroin dealing in the area.

Some residents had complained that drug dealers were using thick vegetation as cover at the side of a walkway to the train station.

Hilton Parr, head of rail services at Translink, said an "increase in anti-social behaviour" had been noted in recent months.

"We've had people using drugs and taking alcohol and also we've had staff and customers intimidated," he said.

In March 2015, a 25-year-old woman was found dead in the toilets of a KFC in Donegall Place in Belfast following a heroin overdose.

Liam Dowds (35), from River Terrace in the Malone Lower area of the city, was jailed last year for supplying heroin.

Belfast Crown Court heard Dowds had put the woman in touch with a man who sold her a wrap of heroin for £50.