Gardaí have expressed concern for the wellbeing of a Lithuanian man who has disappeared just two months before he was due to stand trial on a charge of unlawfully killing another Lithuanian man.
Raimundas Berzinskas (33) has been missing from his home at St Finbarr's Place, Proby's Quay in Cork city since December 16th when he was seen in the nearby O'Sullivan's Quay area.
A carpenter, Mr Berzinskas is described as 187cm (6ft 2in) tall with blond, shaved hair and of strong build.
When last seen, he was wearing a brown three-quarter length jacket with a red trim, light blue jeans and white runners.
Mr Berzinskas was charged on February 14th, 2006, with the manslaughter of fellow Lithuanian Gintaras Balcionas (38) at Rockgrove Terrace, Lower Glanmire Road, Cork, on October 9th, 2005.
The body of Mr Balcionas, a father of one, was found with serious head and other injuries in the garden of 1 Rockgrove Terrace at about 5pm on October 9th, 2005, by gardaí who were called to the scene.
Mr Berzinskas was initially charged with assault causing harm to Mr Balcionas and remanded on bail on an independent surety of €15,000, with strict conditions including that he surrender his passport and sign on daily at the Bridewell Garda station.
In February 2006, the DPP directed that Mr Berzinskas be charged with the manslaughter of Mr Balcionas and he was returned for trial to the next sittings of Cork Circuit Criminal Court, on February 12th.
Gardaí in Cork say they are growing increasingly concerned for Mr Berzinskas's wellbeing.
They say his disappearance is out of character for him as he complied diligently with the terms of his bail, including signing on daily at the Bridewell Garda Station.
