A publican told a murder trial jury in the Central Criminal Court yesterday that he saw a Co Galway man in his bar seven days before his mutilated body was found in a remote cottage.
Mr Sean O'Reilly said he had no doubt he saw Mr Tom Clisham with other men in his pub in Rosaveal, Co Galway, on November 28th, 1997.
Mr Patrick Joseph (P.J.) McGreene (29), with addresses at Corrib Park and St Mary's Road, Galway, has denied the murder of his uncle, Mr Clisham (53), between November 24th and December 4th, 1997, at Inveran, Co Galway.
Mr O'Reilly told defence counsel Mr John Rogers SC that he sold the pub in 1998. Asked by Mr Rogers if he had any reason to doubt that he saw Mr Clisham at his bar on November 28th, Mr O'Reilly said: "No".
The jury has heard that Mr Clisham's body was found partly eaten by animals on December 4th, 1997, at Inveran. The prosecution has claimed Mr McGreene killed his uncle after they were seen having a row on the night of November 24th. No definite date has been established for Mr Clisham's death.
Prosecution counsel Mr Michael Durack SC put it to Mr O'Reilly that he was the only witness "who maintains Mr Clisham was alive after the event".
"I'm only telling you what I saw," Mr O'Reilly said.
He said he remembered the day well because he had to travel to Craigavon, Co Armagh, on November 29th to collect a car. On the night he saw Mr Clisham, there had been a 21st birthday party in the pub. "You don't get that wrong," he told the court.
The court previously heard that Mr Clisham was found dead in his home wearing only socks and with his hands loosely bound. Domestic pets or rodents had eaten part of the body. There was evidence of bleeding into the mastoid and a vertical fracture of the airpipe.
The trial continues today before Mr Justice Cyril Kelly and the jury.