Hotel workers blamed a cellular tower for causing headaches, memory loss and lack of sleep in Supreme Court yesterday.

And one man added he did not believe Telecommunications Minister Renee Webb when she stated public safety was one of Government's highest priorities.

Fairmont Southampton Princess employee Michael Hickey expressed his mistrust while testifying in a civil suit in which Bermuda Digital Communications is hoping to hang on to its lease on land on hotel property, where it maintains one of its cellular base stations.

The action comes as a result of a decision by West End Properties Ltd., a subsidiary of the hotel, to terminate the rental agreement due to health concerns expressed by residents of Faraway, an on-site housing complex where many of the hotel's staff live.

On the witness stand, hotel chef David Sandilands said the presence of one of the cellular tower near his home had caused him to be "very concerned'' about his health.

He noted he had experienced symptoms such as restlessness, irregular sleep patterns and headaches in the past few months.

And Mr. Hickey, who has moved his family away from Faraway due to his fears, said he believed the proximity of the tower had caused him headaches, memory loss and low morale.

"I started getting bad headaches every night when I came home,'' he said, "and I noticed that they would go away when I went to work.

"I also heard complaints from several other residents who said they were experiencing health problems too.'' Mr. Hickey said he began researching the effects of cellular tower radiation when the local action group Community Against Radiation Emissions (CARE) sent him a flyer outlining its objections to the building of the tower.

He added that, despite calling several international organisations for information, "nobody could guarantee to me that the towers are safe''.

In earlier proceedings, BDC lawyer Narinder Hargun called two overseas scientists to the stand, who both expressed their expert opinion that cellular phone towers were safe for those living around them.

But yesterday, Mr. Hickey said his own research had solidified doubts he had about their safety in terms of long-term exposure.

Asked if he took any consolation from Government's statement that research had found the towers to be harmless, he answered: "No, I don't believe they were being honest.'' Mr. Hickey added that he did not trust Ms Webb's insistence that her ministry held public safety as one of its highest priorities.

In cross-examination, Mr. Hargun questioned the witness about the reliability of both factual information and opinions that were expressed in letters that Faraway residents wrote collectively and sent to Fairmont Southampton Princess general manager and West End Properties Ltd. director Norman Mastalir.

Despite Mr. Hickey's admittance that some of the information the letters were based on was incorrect, he noted that many reports and studies had indicated that cellular towers were a health hazard.

His statement that he needed to be sure they were safe was met with Mr. Hargun asking: "Are you 100 percent sure that television aerials are safe?'' In response, Mr. Hickey said: "No, and I wouldn't want to live right next to one of those either.'' He noted there had been several cases of cancer in people who lived and worked near the television aerials at Prospect in Devonshire.

With regard to the cellular tower near his former home, he said the circumstances surrounding its effects on the environment were "very suspicious''.

"It will take years before anyone can be really sure of whether towers are safe or not. In the meantime, why should my children have to be exposed to those possible dangers?'' Also called to the stand was Mr. Mastalir, who said he was "very concerned'' that the hotel's employees and neighbours were unhappy.

He added he hoped a "resolution to suit all parties'' could be arrived at in the end.

The hearing continues today before Puisne Judge Philip Storr with lawyer Jai Pachai appearing on behalf of West End Properties Ltd.

ENVIRONMENT ENV CLUB CLB HEALTH HTH