A murder trial was adjourned in the Central Criminal Court yesterday because of a juror's illness.
One of only 11 remaining jurors in the Mark Dwyer murder trial became ill and submitted a medical certificate to the court, thereby causing the trial to be postponed until today. Addressing the jury, Mr Justice Quirke said the trial had been "fraught with difficulties" and that their patience must at this stage be "almost exhausted".
Mr Joseph Delaney (54), formerly of La Rochelle, Naas, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Dwyer (23) on or about December 14th, 1996. He has also pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Mr Dwyer and detaining him against his will at Foster Terrace, Ballybough, Dublin, on December 14th, 1996.
The prosecution alleges Mr Delaney murdered Mr Dwyer over the theft of 30-40,000 ecstasy tablets. Mr Dwyer was found with a bullet wound to the head in a field in Dublin early on Saturday, December 14th, 1996, as well as having injuries to his forearms and upper torso.
Mr Justice Quirke said the juror was expected to be sufficiently recovered by today. The case before Mr Justice Quirke and a jury of seven men and four women continues today.