Betty Grey – the mother of one of two young men who collapsed and died after taking cocaine at a house party in her Waterford home a year ago – is facing drugs charges in relation to the tragic incident.

John Grey (23), Ballybeg Square, and Kevin Doyle (21), Viewmount Estate, died at Waterford regional hospital days after becoming critically ill after ingesting cocaine and ecstasy at a party in Grey's family home in the early hours of 25 November last year. A dozen other party-goers were rushed to hospital suffering from heart palpitations and seizures after many of them swallowed rather than snorted damp cocaine.

Grey appeared at Waterford District Court in June charged under section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, which refers to "the manufacture, production or preparation of a controlled drug" on the night of the party at her home at 215 Ballybeg Square.

The case has been sent forward for trial at Waterford Circuit Court and Grey has pleaded not guilty.

"I've been brought to court and charged about the drugs, they're saying I allowed the drugs in the house. I'm out on bail at the moment. I'm just in shock. They can't do anything more to hurt me, my son is already dead," she told the Sunday Tribune.

"I can't believe it's been a year, it feels like it was only last weekend. I'm still in such pain over it."

Two brothers have also been charged with possession of cocaine that was supplied at the party. Anthony Connolly (25), of Priory Lawn, Ballybeg, has been sent forward for trial at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court on four charges of possession of drugs, and possession of drugs for the purpose of sale and supply. He has admitted to possessing cocaine but has claimed the amphetamines recovered by gardaí were not his.

Chris Connolly, in his late 20s, of Meadow Bank, Waterford, has also been charged with possession of drugs that gardaí believe were consumed at the party and is due to stand trial.

Waterford Workers' Party councillor John Halligan believes the death of the two young men has not served as a 'wake-up call' or stopped many young people's casual drug-taking.