The disappearance of a young Co Cork man nearly eight years ago was recalled in the High Court yesterday when orders were made allowing the payment to his parents of £36,400 held in a pension fund.
Mr Niall Twomey (23), a biochemist of Gortnacrusha, Ballinspittle, went missing on April 21st, 1990. He had been involved in a car accident the night before his disappearance.
Yesterday, Mr Brian Speerin, for the man's parents, Mr Denis Twomey and Ms Nellie Twomey, applied for an order giving them liberty to state their belief, although "not as a matter of fact", that their son died on April 22nd, 1990.
In affidavits, Mr and Ms Twomey said they believed their son went into the sea at the Old Head of Kinsale, Co Cork. Despite exhaustive land and sea searches, he was never found.
In an affidavit, Mr John A. (Gus) Crowley, of Knockroe, Innishannon, Co Cork, said on April 20th, 1990, Mr Niall Twomey had been involved in a car accident outside his property. The car had mounted a ditch. Mr Crowley said he had brought Mr Twomey home.
Mr Denis Twomey said he noticed on April 21st, 1990, that his wife's car was missing. They received a call from Mr Crowley and this was the first they knew of the accident the previous night. Mr Twomey said the circumstances in which his wife's car was found indicated that their son might have gone into the water at Kinsale and drowned.
Before his son's disappearance, they had no inkling that anything might be wrong in his life. He was a reasonably carefree and happy-go-lucky man and was successful in his job. He was popular, well liked and was going out with a local girl.