The mother of a Dublin man who is accused of murder said she blamed the Eastern Health Board for not treating her son effectively and leaving him free to kill, a jury in the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Mr Vincent Flynn (19), of Kiltipper Close, Old Bawn, has denied the murder of Mr Steven Morris (17), at Killakee Walk, Firhouse, Dublin, on May 2nd, 1998.
His mother, Mrs Vera Flynn, told the court she blamed the EHB for what she described as a "double tragedy" after turning to it for help for her son the day before the fatal stabbing occurred.
She told the jury that when she went to a psychiatrist on May 1st, 1998, the day before the fatal stabbing had occurred, she was told she was a "fussy, overprotective mother". She described this as "an astonishing thing" to be told.
Mrs Flynn said her heart went out to the Morris family and apologised for the death of their son. "I'm really sorry. Neither of our families will ever recover", she said. "There's nothing I can do to ever help them. I did go to Lourdes and had candles lit for both Steven and Vincent and had Masses said."
If her son had had treatment from the Eastern Health Board, he "would not have been free to do it".
Since the death of Mr Morris, the Flynn family had ensured that their son, Vincent, had received further treatment, and he had responded to that, Mrs Flynn said. "This time, we're not relying on the services of the Eastern Health Board. We're paying for it and the treatment is excellent."
Describing her son's current condition, she said he was "rational, calm, never loses his temper, not impatient". He was now "what a normal lad would be".
The professional psychiatric assessment of Mr Flynn was that he had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the court heard.
Dr Richard Blennerhasset, clinical director of psychiatry at St Ita's Hospital and Beaumont Hospital, a witness for the defence, said he agreed that Mr Flynn had once suffered from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in a background of depression. He said the effects of the disorder would lead a patient to having difficulty dealing with authority figures, to concentration difficulties, general restlessness, over-activity and impulsivity.
Cross-examined by Mr Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, Dr Blennerhasset said Mr Flynn had shown no remorse and had told him that, in relation to what occurred on the night, he did not remember what happened. "He said it was an accident. He said the only one he wanted to hurt was himself."
Asked again by Mr Gageby if Mr Flynn had shown remorse after the stabbing, Dr Blennerhasset said he had not specifically expressed remorse. He added: "I would consider he had difficulty considering the thoughts and feelings of others, he was so focused on dealing with his own problems."
Dr Blennerhasset said the jealousy Mr Flynn felt after his then girlfriend, Ms Bernadette Jolley, ended their relationship and told him that she fancied Mr Morris would have been a factor in considering his behaviour.
Asked by Mr Gageby about a remark allegedly made by the Mr Flynn only a few weeks before the death of Mr Morris - that Mr Flynn hated Mr Morris and would stab him - Dr Blennerhasset agreed that it was "worrying".
Asked by Mr Gageby if he thought the remark was a "unique prophecy", the psychiatrist said that he "would not see it in that fashion".
The court had heard that, after sexual contact and an argument with his girlfriend, Mr Flynn ran out of his house after fetching an eight-inch hunting knife. He allegedly ran through the streets until eventually ending up at Mr Morris's home and calling for him. After a fracas outside the house, Mr Flynn allegedly stabbed Mr Morris with the knife, piercing the aorta and causing death.
The prosecution alleged that Mr Flynn acted in a rage of jealousy after his then girlfriend had told him that she fancied Mr Morris.
The trial, before Mr Justice Kinlen and a jury of seven men and five women, will resume on Monday.