AN apprentice carpenter involved in a fatal accident could have suffered from impaired judgement resulting from carbon monoxide inhalation because his two car passengers were smoking, according to a medical expert.
Mr Philip O'Sullivan (19), of Listry, Beaufort, Killarney, Co Kerry, has pleaded not guilty in the Cork Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving, causing the deaths of Mr Paul Kenneally (25) and four year old David Smiddy, on the main Cork Youghal road on May 12th last.
Mr O'Sullivan said he had no recollection of his car being driven across the road and driving along the hard shoulder. He had no drink taken that day nor the previous night.
Dr Charles Bredin, a consultant physician, said there were three possibilities concerning the accused and the accident. If he did fall asleep, he could be suffering from Sleep Apnoea.
There was also a possibility of carbon monoxide inhalation from the cigarette smoke and a small possibility of a peit mal, a small epileptic turn. The case continues.