Daniel Maguire (14) died in September and as his devastated family deal with the pain of their loss, they also want to raise awareness of the growing dangers of solvent abuse
Andrew Maguire’s plea comes just two months after the death of his older brother Daniel shattered his family’s hearts.
Daniel, who was from Huntstown, Dublin 15, was just 14 when he died after inhaling deodorant fumes – and his devastated family are now highlighting his death in an effort to prevent anyone else from dying.
Since Daniel’s death on September 27, parents Dermot and Yvonne have learned of other cases where young people have died from inhaling substance gases, and as a result they are lobbying the Government for more awareness over the dangers of solvent abuse.
Daniel and Andrew
On the night his son died, Mr Maguire had shouted up to Daniel for the front-door key, receiving a reply of no problem.
But 30 seconds later when no key was thrown down, Dermot went upstairs to find Daniel collapsed on his bedroom floor. Mr Maguire and his older son Adam began CPR until the emergency services arrived, but Daniel tragically died a few hours later in hospital.
As the family try to raise awareness through education in schools, Daniel’s younger brother Andrew is asking his peers to think before trying the trend that is a growing problem among children between the ages of 11 to 14.
With just 17 months between them, Andrew (13) recalled how, like all siblings, they argued but were also very close.
“He was a great brother. If I was ever sad, he would help me through it,” Andrew said.
“I looked up to him a lot and wanted to be as good as he was at the gym and with sport.”
Dermot, Andrew, Daniel and Yvonne
Daniel played football with Clonee Utd, practised MMA and went to the gym regularly, which Andrew now plans to do. They also supported Liverpool, although Daniel recently turned his attention to Celtic.
Andrew had heard of people inhaling gases from aerosols, but never imagined it would take his brother away from him.
“I’ve heard of people who have done it in the past. It affects girls and boys equally, from what I’ve heard, and mainly 11-14 year olds,” Andrew said.
“I didn’t expect Daniel to do it, especially because he was so sporty.”
Recalling the night his brother died, Andrew said he had hoped Daniel would recover.
“I was in my room and heard a scream, and when I got to Daniel’s room, I saw him passed out on the ground and I could smell the deodorant,” Andrew said. “I waited with my mam while my dad and my brother Adam worked on him (CPR) until the ambulance came.
Daniel Maguire
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Wednesday, November 26
“The paramedics said he was very sick. Then we were told he had stopped breathing, but the medics were keeping him alive. But I still had hope because if anyone could do it (recover), it would be Daniel.
“Daniel took it once and it killed him. I just want to say to teenagers that it’s not worth it. It’s not worth putting your little brother or your family through what we are going through, just for that little buzz that lasts no time.”
Andrew says he is coping each day by going out and surrounding himself with friends.
“Christmas is going to be tough. Every day is tough,” he said.
“Again, it’s not worth it. Not even for one day. Nothing can replace your life because of a can of deodorant. Nothing can replace the life we all once had. That has changed for ever.
“If he was here now, I’d scream at him. And then I’d say that I miss him so much and that I’m so proud of him and how he was doing at everything. And I would tell him I love him.”
The family are now trying to prevent another family from facing the same heartache by raising awareness of the dangers that everyday household aerosols can have on young people.
Brothers Andrew, Adam and Daniel
They have been in contact with both the Education and Health Ministers in an effort to get the issue put on the curriculum.
“From the last time I talked to Daniel to the time I saw him passed out, was 30 seconds. That’s all it took,” Mr Maguire said.
“We had heard of a young girl dying in the same way as Daniel and we had sat down and talked to him about it. But we didn’t know how widespread the problem was until we got messages from all over the world, but especially all over Ireland, after his passing.”
Daniel’s parents are hoping the Government will implement measures such as banning deodorants in schools and for sale to U18s and forcing manufacturers to make existing warnings on cans bigger.
“Our lives have been shattered,” Mr Maguire said. “You don’t think it will come to your own door, but it does. Every parent knows their own child and needs to sit down with them and show them a picture of Daniel, show them that lives have been devastated – whatever it takes to get the message home.”
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article, you can call the HSE Drugs and Alcohol Helpline on Freephone 1800 459 459 or email helpline@hse.ie