RELATIVES of alleged murder victim Patrick O'Driscoll told the Central Criminal Court yesterday he had suffered epileptic type fits and had a drink problem.
Mr Noel O'Driscoll said he had gone to the Gardai in January, 1995, and reported his brother missing. He had not seen Patrick since. His brother had always kept in touch with his family.
Patrick had told him he had accommodation at Wellington Terrace, Cork, where Frederick Flannery was staying, the witness said.
Patrick would sometimes stay at Wellington Terrace and would also stay in the home of Mr John Flannery, a brother of Frederick, Mr O'Driscoll added. Patrick would regularly stay with his sister, Jean, his parents and at his (witness's) home.
Mr O'Driscoll was giving evidence on the second day of the trial of Frederick Flannery (35), of no fixed abode, who has denied the murder of Denis Patrick O'Driscoll (33) at Wellington Terrace, oft Grattan's Hill, Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, between December 15th and 31st, 1994.
In court yesterday, Mr O'Driscoll said his brother had lost an eye in a car accident. He was on medication.
If he didn't take his medication, he suffered epileptic type fits in which he appeared to collapse and lose consciousness.
Mr O'Driscoll said his brother would drink when he had money and would drink for a couple of days and then stop for a few weeks.
Patrick was missing for 10 to 11 days once, Mr O'Driscoll said. When he met the defendant, he asked him where Patrick was and Mr Flannery knew.
Mr O'Driscoll told Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, defending, that Patrick knew the consequences of not taking his medicine.
The witness agreed he had made inquiries in several bars before he reported Patrick missing on January 2nd, 1995.
He was not aware Patrick's seizures were related to his drinking, the witness said.
The trial continues today before Mr Justice Barr and the jury.
The plan to build a privately funded terminal beside Dublin Airport has been condemned by SIPTU as a "get rich quick" scheme which would undermine the viability of existing jobs at the airport. Mr Paul O'Sullivan, SIPTU branch secretary, said the implication of the plan by Huntstown Air Park Ltd was that anyone who owned a field adjoining one of the State airports "should be allowed free right of passage to such airfields in order to make a financial killing".
He said SIPTU had made a detailed objection to Fingal Co Council, arguing that planning permission should be refused for the proposed private terminal. Aer Rianta, which operates Dublin Airport, has also made a submission to the council making it clear that it also opposes the scheme.