HEROIN 'MAY HAVE KILLED WOMAN'

A heroin overdose may have been to blame for the death of a woman in a
Ballymena estate, it emerged today.

The 41-year-old victim was officially named by police as Mary Elizabeth
Rose May Temporal, from Richmond Walk in the town.

Mrs Temporal was discovered in a block of flats in the drug-ridden estate
on Monday.

A post mortem examination was carried out but it is understood the results
were inconclusive. However, security sources said that toxicology tests are
expected to confirm that she died of a heroin overdose.

Ian Paisley Jnr, DUP Assembly member for North Antrim, said he was appalled
by the tragic death.

He said it underlined the need for public funding for drugs counselling and
anti-drugs policies.

Mr Paisley said he had been calling on the Government to finance a special
de-tox clinic.

"There is evidence to suggest that de-tox clinics do provide a workable
option that removes drug abusers from the supply of drugs and gives their
families peace of mind that they are being treated by specialists for their
drug habit."

Deputy Mayor of Ballymena, PJ McAvoy, said he hoped the tragedy would be a
warning to others.

"Once this stuff gets a hold, it brings you down the long spiral to oblivion."