The case against two of the 11 men charged in connection with running an illegal dogfight in Co Kildare was dropped yesterday.
Judge Patrick McCartan told the jury he would be directing a not-guilty verdict in relation to Anthony Burke, Corstown, Oldcastle, Co Meath, and John Moody, Coolamber Crescent, Templelogue. He said there was not enough evidence to connect them to the alleged dog fight.
Most of the day was taken up with legal argument in the absence of the jury.
The remaining defendants face charges on two counts of animal cruelty. They are Richard Bernard, Dark Road, Castletown, Carlow; Troy Jordan, River Road, Allenwood, Co Kildare; James Ferris, Allenwood South, Co Kildare; Richard Somerville, Dunard Drive, Navan Road, Cabra; Karl Breen, Nangor Crescent, Clondalkin; Thomas Codd, Cloonmore Crescent, Tallaght; David Deegan, Maplewood Park, Springfield, Tallaght; Michael Quinn, Slieve Bloom Road, Drimnagh; and Joseph Blake, Loreto Avenue, Rathfarnham.
The alleged offences are said to have occurred on October 31st, 2003, in a shed at Brockagh, Robertstown, Co Kildare.
The court was earlier told that when gardaí arrived at the shed that morning shortly after 11am, several men ran from the building and were followed by the officers.
On entering the shed, the gardaí noticed that there were two dogs in a galvanised ring fighting each other.
There were also several men in the shed.
The case has been adjourned until July 12th.