Posted on 04/05/2002 6:55:12 AM PST by aculeus
A 25-YEAR-OLD woman cried "Mam please put me out, I didn't mean to do it" after she poured petrol over her head and set herself alight in her back garden, an inquest was told yesterday.
Christina Guerrine, of Coonmore Park, Jobstown, Tallaght, died from shock caused by severe burns following the incident last July 26.
Evidence given by the deceased's mother, Monica Guerrine, in Dublin City Coroner's Court, revealed that the victim was a heroin user, was prone to impulsive behaviour, and had tried to harm herself a few years previously by taking a drug overdose. Mrs Guerrine told the court that before her daughter set herself alight, she had "gone mad at me in the sitting-room" and then went out into the back garden at around 8pm.
The distraught mother told the court that she first noticed her daughter in the garden when "I saw a flash of light through the window, but I couldn't see Tina in the fire.
"It was like seeing a ball of flames going around and around in the garden."
Christina was later rushed to Tallaght Hospital but died the following day.
A post-mortem showed that she had suffered 95 degree burns, and a blood analysis indicated high levels of morphine in her system.
Coroner Brian Farrell returned an open verdict and said that "although it was a self-inflicted death, he was not at all satisfied that she meant to take her own life as her actions may have been a cry of some sort".
I have my suspicions about him, too. Is formaldehyde addictive?
So what say you closet anarchists, er...*cough cough*..I mean..Libertarians? :)
Yeah like "heyy, I'm burning up here. Help me put out the FIRE!!!!!"
As soon as you see a libertarian say that drugs never destroy lives, you let us know. In the meantime, would you like to explain how keeping drugs illegal stopped this woman from taking her own life, or even made it any more difficult, in any way, shape or form?
We need warning labels on petrol containers.
We need petrol containers with "smart spouts" that will only open when a microwave transmitter receives a signal from the combustable engine.(Of course only these can only be purchased at Bentley's Storage, in Essex.)
We need to make it illegal to use any other storage container.
We need to make sure the warning label on the container is written in five languages.
We need to make sure the clerk asks the buyer if they can read the warning label, if not a reader will be provided for them.
We need to make sure all matches and lighters have warnings that they will ignite petroleum products and that igniting such products is illegal.
We need to have warning labels on prescriptions that will list "self combustion" as a possible side effect.
We need to make suicide illegal and procecute it to the fullest extent of the law.
We need a PSA warning that petroleum products burn and if applied to your skin and ignited may cause 95 degree burns.
We need to lock up mum for violating 25 different civl and criminal statutes.
...Or you can just put an additive in the petrol that will not let it burn.
The good news is that the drug's illegality stopped her from doing it. Best of all is the fact that the guy who sold it to her didn't have to pay any taxes.
Such a nice polite young woman.....If you douse yourself with gas, then light up....you meant to do it.
through early morning fog I see visions of the things to be the pains that are withheld for me I realize and I can see...
that suicide is painless It brings on many changes and I can take or leave it if I please. I try to find a way to make all our little joys relate without that ever-present hate but now I know that it's too late, and...
The game of life is hard to play I'm gonna lose it anyway The losing card I'll someday lay so this is all I have to say.
The only way to win is cheat And lay it down before I'm beat and to another give my seat for that's the only painless feat.
The sword of time will pierce our skins It doesn't hurt when it begins But as it works its way on in The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...
A brave man once requested me to answer questions that are key is it to be or not to be and I replied 'oh why ask me?' .........
'Cause suicide is painless it brings on many changes and I can take or leave it if I please. ...and you can do the same thing if you please.
Stay Safe Ya'll
Stay Safe !
BTTT
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