A man accused of murder who was diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was on drugs that may have worsened his condition at the time of the killing, an expert witness told a jury in the Central Criminal Court yesterday. Mr Vincent Flynn (19), of Kiltipper Close, Old Bawn, Dublin, denies the murder of Mr Steven Morris (17), at Killakee Walk, Firhouse, Dublin, on May 2nd, 1998.
Defence witness, consultant paediatrician Dr Geoffrey Kewley, originally from Australia but practising in west Sussex, England, told the court that after assessing the accused, Mr Flynn was diagnosed as suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
He said the drugs prescribed to the accused for depression at the time of the killing by the psychiatric services in this State would more likely "exacerbate" the patient's impulsiveness, a symptom common in sufferers of ADHD. Dr Kewley said a common symptom of the disorder is where the patient is "excessively inattentive and/or excessively compulsive, saying or doing things without forethought or with thought of the consequences of their actions".
He said the "more traditional practices" treating psychiatric disorders are "not particularly aware" of ADHD, and that it was "fairly unrecognised" but that at least 1 per cent of the population's schoolchildren suffer from the condition.
Dr Kewley, who met Mr Flynn and his parents last January, said the accused then had "excessive difficulty having forethought for his actions", was physically and verbally impulsive, would make "inappropriate comments" and was emotionally volatile.
In cross-examination by Mr Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, Dr Kewley said he had relied on information only from the Flynn family and previous school reports in making his assessment of the accused.
Clinical and educational psychologist Dr Deirdre Killilay, based at Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin, told the court that when she assessed Mr Flynn in September 1998 he tested positive for depression and later met the criteria for the attention deficit disorder.
During her treatment with the accused, he "broke down sobbing" during a re-enactment of the stabbing incident. "I think he's devastated by what he did," Dr Killilay said.
In cross-examination, Dr Killilay agreed Mr Flynn sat the Leaving Certificate only four weeks after the death of Mr Morris and achieved a pass rate of 360 points. She told the court that after his arrest, Mr Flynn told gardai "things he thought they wanted to hear", and that he claimed not being able to recall stabbing Mr Morris.
The court previously heard that after sexual contact and a row with his girlfriend, the accused ran out of his house after fetching an eight-inch hunting knife. He allegedly ran through the streets until eventually ending up at the deceased's home and calling for him.
After a fracas outside the Morris's family home, the accused then allegedly stabbed Mr Morris with the knife, piercing the aorta and causing death.
The trial before Mr Justice Kinlen resumes today.