An inquest into the epilepsy-related death of a man in custody heard yesterday that a garda was given anti-epileptic medication for the man by his brother, but decided against giving it to him.
Garda Paul Martin was giving evidence at an inquest into the death of Seán Dinnegan (34) of Canal Avenue, Mullingar, Co Westmeath, at Dublin City Coroner's Court.
Garda Martin told the court that on May 20th, 2004, Mr Dinnegan's brother came to the Garda station with a packet of Epilim tablets for Seán after his arrest in the town earlier that day.
He was transferred to Mountjoy Prison later that evening, and his dead body was subsequently discovered in his prison cell.
Garda Martin said he rang Mr Dinnegan's GP, Dr Frank McKenna, to get his advice on the medication. "Dr McKenna said one or two wouldn't do him any harm, but he was capable of taking more than is good for him," Garda Martin told the court.
Dr Frank McKenna said in evidence that he told the garda that "if they had any worries about Seán exceeding the prescribed dose, the medication should be taken from him and the prescribed dose should be given to him by the authorities every day".