1994. An inquest showed that the cause of death was cardiac arrhythmia and that traces of cocaine found in Ryan's system were the "likely trigger" of Ryan's death. A considerable public controversy erupted when Ryan's long-term use of cocaine came to light. RTÉ eventually admitted to having given insufficient coverage of Ryan's cocaine habit in the aftermath of the inquest. See also List of Eurovision Song Contest presenters References External links Commentary The Irish Times – declining listenership Irish Independent – declining listenership Obituaries Gerry Ryan tribute page at RTÉ.ie (archive link) BBC obituary "Gerry Ryan R.I.P." – Hot Press "Tributes pour in after broadcaster Ryan found dead" – The Times (archive) 1956 births 2010 deaths Alumni of Trinity College Dublin Burials at Dardistown Cemetery Drug-related deaths in the Republic of Ireland Cocaine-related deaths Irish television talk show hosts Jacob's Award winners Irish television presenters People educated at St Paul's College, Raheny People from Clontarf, Dublin RTÉ 2fm presenters RTÉ television presenters Shock jocks Television personalities from Dublin (city)