Politicians to meet police chiefs over 'drugs related deaths'

The body of the 36-year-old is understood to have been discovered by a friend at Hanover Mews yesterday.

His remains were removed for a post mortem to determine the cause of death.

Local politicians have linked his sudden death to drugs and are asking for a meeting with police chiefs to discuss the problem.

It is the second drugs related death in Coagh within a month.

Twenty-one-year Amy Reid, from Cookstown, died following a house party at the same flat at the end of October.

The Coagh community has been left shocked by the deaths of the two young people.

Mr Taylor, whose father, Jim, was shot dead by the SAS in a case of mistaken identity at Ballygoney Road, Coagh, in September 1978, lived and grew up in the village.

SDLP Mid Ulster MLA Patsy McGlone said today that the community is in shock following a second death linked to drugs in as many months in the area.

Mr McGlone said:" First of all, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Darren Taylor who died in Coagh yesterday. This will undoubtedly be a very difficult time for them and I know the local community will rally around them.

“The community is absolutely in shock. Two deaths linked to drugs in the same village, in the same flat highlights how deep this issue runs in communities across the North.

“There’s no doubt that the police have had successes with drug seizures throughout Mid Ulster but we need more people to come forward, bring information forward and help bring those who deal in death to justice. I’ll be meeting with local police in relation to the insidious effect that drug dealing is having on our communities and ensuring that this is a high level priority for them.” DUP MLA Keith Buchanan is also asking for a meeting with police to discuss the drugs problem in Mid Ulster area.