The jury in a trial of a Kerry man accused of unlawfully killing his uncle was discharged at the Central Criminal Court today.
Mr Eugene Daly (26), with an address at Dooneen, Kilcummin, Killarney, Co Kerry had pleaded not guilty to the charge that on or about January 18th 1996 he unlawfully killed his uncle Patrick Daly (69) with the intention to kill or cause him serious injury.
Discharging the jury, Mr Justice Paul Butler said he was "very grateful" that one of the jury had drawn it to the attention of the court "that someone has attempted to influence" him or her.
Mr Justice Butler said the matter was "very regrettable" and he discharged the jury "with deep regret" but felt he could not "take the risk in the matter".
Thanking the jury members for their service in the trial, Mr Justice Butler excused them from jury service for 10 years.
Previously the court heard the body of the alleged victim, Paddy Daly, body was found by gardaí at the bottom of a well and he had been killed by blows to the head.
Deputy State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster previously told the court Mr Daly was dead before being put in the well and that it was blows to the head - not other bodily injuries consistent with kicks to the torso - that killed him.
Mr John Edwards SC prosecuting, previously told the jury that it was the states case that the accused and his father acted together in bringing about the death of Mr Daly after family rows erupted over the running the farm, the sale of animals and other matters.
The farm had been willed to the deceased but both he and his brother, Mr Sean Daly, had worked on the farm and shared the rents and profits.
A number of days prior to the killing, the deceased man had instructed a local solicitor, Mr Michael Larkin, to send a letter to his brother informing him had suffered "distress" as a result of his brother's "interference" in his affairs. The letter said Mr Paddy Daly wished to "organise his affairs without reference" to him.
The case has been put into the next list of fixed dates, due for rescheduling on March 29th next and Mr Daly was freed on bail.