A sister of a man allegedly shot dead by their father told a jury yesterday that she was "very frightened" of her brother for many years before his death.
Ms Anne Connell was giving evidence on the third day of the Central Criminal Court trial of her father, Mr Gerry Connell (54), of Clyduff West, Lisnagry, Co Limerick, who denies the murder of his son Barry (25) at the family home on June 9th, 1999.
Ms Connell told the court her brother had head-butted her and had left her bleeding on one occasion. She told defence counsel Mr Brendan Nix SC that she believed there was nothing more her father could do for him and that the problems with her late brother "were getting worse, especially after our mother died" in April 1999.
The jury heard how Ms Connell had moved out of home because of the atmosphere in the house. When she became pregnant, her parents brought her back.
She said her brother Barry "didn't take to the baby as he thought he would be put out of the house" because of it.
She said she would often discuss with her father what they could do to help Barry. She said her brother "made our lives a misery, but especially my father's".
The Connell family GP, Dr Robert Magnier, earlier agreed with Mr Nix that it was "reasonable" for Mr Gerry Connell to be frightened of his son on the night he was shot dead. Dr Magnier said he had "ongoing concern" about the condition of the accused.
The case continues today before Mr Justice McKechnie.