The family of a Dublin teenager who fell into a coma after consuming two naggins of vodka and six cans of cider are warning of the dangers of excessive drinking.
Anthony Downes celebrated his 16th birthday two days before heading out with friends for the night.
After drinking the alcohol, it is believed Anthony lost his balance and hit his head on a Dublin street - before passing out and catching hypothermia.
He was taken to Beaumont Hospital, where doctors resuscitated him and brought up his blood pressure.
His sister Theresa posted a photo of him online, showing him in the coma in a hospital bed.
Anthony's family hopes the image will discourage young people from drinking so much.
His father, also named Anthony, told the Pat Kenny Show on Newstalk this was all caused by alcohol - not drugs.
"He drank the six cans and then he was egged on by friends that he thought (were) his friends - and he consumed them two naggins of vodka in the space of about 10 minutes" he said.
His father says when his son woke up, he did not know what had happened.
"When he came to, he was still drunk...To this day he still can't remember anything from when he collapsed that night till the next morning".
"We could have came home without him".
"I couldn't punish him... we just really looked after him".
"Hopefully there's a lesson learned and for his friends as well...I think they sort of got a fright when they seen their friend in that position - and they realised that could be them".
"We are one of the lucky ones, we got to bring our son home".
Listen to the full interview below:
