Alcoholic tells of blackout

A self-confessed alcoholic has told a murder trial that his illness caused him to blank out the memory of the murder accused …

A self-confessed alcoholic has told a murder trial that his illness caused him to blank out the memory of the murder accused dancing on the chest of a victim.

In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Alan Gray, of Gurteen Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin, was the second prosecution witness to allege that Mr Michael `Michaeleen' McDonnell, of Harelawn Green, Clondalkin, kicked and beat another man during a drunken row in a field behind Stewarts Hospital, Palmerstown, in 1999.

Mr Gray said that after he stayed off drink for four days "nightmares and flashbacks" brought the memory back.

Mr Michael McDonnell (42) has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Martin "Dick" Sweeney (36), of Gurteen Avenue, Ballyfermot, at fields adjacent to Mill Lane, Palmerstown, Dublin, between May 27th and May 28th, 1999.

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The case continues.