A man jumped to his death from a third-floor balcony after consuming magic mushrooms, an inquest heard today.
The distraught parents of Colm Hodkinson said they hoped their campaign against magic mushrooms would save the lives of others.
Close friends of the 33-year-old, who ran a successful dry-cleaning business with his father Eoin, said they grew frantic with worry as he became severely unwell within minutes of taking two to three of the hallucinogenic mushrooms for the first time.
Dublin County Coroner Dr Kieran Geraghty warned there were young people walking the streets possibly considering experimenting with drugs.
"I hope at least one person might hear what I have to say today and hesitate before going down that road," he said.
The victim's parents, Eoin and Mary Hodkinson, said immediately after taking the mushrooms their son suffered a drug-induced psychosis, leading to hallucinations and his leap from the building.
His friend Johnny Hayes told the inquest he saw Mr Hodkinson run from his apartment at the Anchorage, Clarence Street, in Dublin's Dun Laoghaire on October 30th, 2005 in an agitated state and leap to his death within a short time after consuming a number of the mushrooms.
"He placed his hands on the rail and vaulted over at full speed," he said. "I heard him hit the ground below. It made a horrible noise."
After the jury returned a verdict of death by misadventure, recommending studies be carried out into the potential effects of mind-altering substances, his parents said: "He was one of the most popular people I know, was in excellent physical health, and was a great all round sportsman, with his love of golf, squash, and snooker.
"We believe that without magic mushrooms Colm would be alive today. We hope our campaign will save others."
The parents said their successful attempt to get Health Minister Mary Harney to change the legislation to ensure the sale of the magic mushrooms was banned had come too late for them.