The State Pathologist had to revise her conclusions regarding the death of a 23-year-old man, after it emerged that he had more than twice the amount of alcohol in his blood than was initially stated in a toxicology report, a court has heard.
Prof Marie Cassidy was giving evidence at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on the second day of a manslaughter trial.
During her evidence yesterday, she explained how she had to revise her conclusions regarding Keith Ryan (23), Farranshone, Limerick, who was found beaten to death under the Shannon Bridge in Limerick last year.
Tony O'Brien (24), Baker Place, Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Ryan, at Fernbank, O'Callaghan Strand, Limerick, on May 24th, 2006.
During her medical evidence yesterday, Prof Cassidy said she had initially concluded that alcohol was not a factor in Mr Ryan's death, due to the reported levels found in blood and urine samples.
In January, however, Prof Cassidy said she had to revise her conclusions after receiving a letter from the toxicology laboratory informing her "due to a failure with their machinery during the last year, some of the analysis had been incorrect".
"The toxicology report was reissued and the previous analysis had underestimated the quantity of alcohol in the blood and the urine," she explained.
The court heard the revised blood level of alcohol, at 260mg, was more than twice the initial figure of 116mg.
Prof Cassidy said this meant the dead man was "considerably more intoxicated than originally thought" - some three times the legal alcohol limit for driving.
The court heard how Mr Ryan sustained severe face injuries and bruising to his abdomen.
According to Prof Cassidy, the nature of the injuries was highly suggestive of stamping. She told the court it was likely the victim had also been punched and kicked in the head.
The trial continues today before Judge Carroll Moran and a jury of six men and six women.