Man who died after drugs arrest in Ecuador was originally from Offaly

THE Irish man who died four days after being arrested in Ecuador in a €600,000 drugs bust earlier this month was originally from Edenderry.

John Fennessy (64) was a respected business man and factory manager who had no record of criminality of any description.

He took ill in his cell in the south American country four days after his arrest and passed away. It is believed he suffered a heart attack.

Mr Fennessy, and a younger man, were arrested by officers from the Policia Nacional del Ecuador on August 1 at Guayaquil Airport after drugs were discovered in suitcases.

Concerns have been raised about the circumstances surrounding his arrest and death.

Last week the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance.

Mr Fennessy had connections with Tullamore having worked in Cardinal Health for some years.

He also ran the now closed Hole in the Wall public house, just off Market Square, for a period.

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