The High Court jury hearing a libel action by Esat Digifone chairman Mr Denis O'Brien arising out of articles in the Irish Mirror newspaper was discharged yesterday and the case was adjourned to November next.
The action had opened on Thursday before Mr Justice O'Sullivan and a jury and was expected to continue into next week.
However, the judge yesterday told the jury that "something had arisen" which meant he had to discharge the jury from dealing with the trial. He added that the case would have to go back to be heard at a later date.
Mr O'Brien (41), who is chairman of Esat Digifone and 98FM, is suing over articles published in the Irish Mirror on June 19th 1998.
The defendants are Mirror Group Newspapers, of Canary Wharf, London, publisher of the Irish Mirror; Mr Piers Morgan, editor-in-chief; Mr Neil Leslie, Irish editor; and journalist Mr Karl Brophy.
When opening the case, Mr Garrett Cooney SC, for Mr O'Brien, said the articles intended to convey that Mr O'Brien had engaged in bribery of former minister Mr Ray Burke and other politicians and received the right to establish a radio station and a mobile phone company.
Mr Cooney said the allegations were entirely false.
The defence admits the newspaper published the articles but denies it did so falsely or maliciously as alleged.