A murder trial in the Central Criminal Court was adjourned yesterday after a juror's wife gave birth.
Mr Justice Kinlen told the jury that the wife of one of the 12 jurors had given birth on Saturday and her husband was "unable to attend today and will apply tomorrow to be excused".
Mr Michael O'Brien (27), single and unemployed, of Gallowsfield, Tralee, Co Kerry, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr James Healy (16), of Shanakill, Tralee, at Monavalley Industrial Estate in the town on or about February 22nd, 1997.
"In the circumstances I will wait until tomorrow and I will hear his application and consider it and take it from there", the judge said.
After having been missing for three days, Mr Healy's body was found on waste ground near a factory off the Monavalley Road.
State Pathologist Prof John Harbison previously told the court how Mr Healy had had 13 of his teeth knocked out, pieces of his jaw dislodged and had 20 head injuries.
Three-and-a-half of Mr Healy's teeth were later found lodged in his windpipe and lungs. Prof Harbison believed the teeth were inhaled, causing suffocation.
Cause of death was as a result of suffocation, head injuries and shock.
The trial is expected to continue today.