THE trial of Mr Brendan O'Donnell was adjourned at the Central Criminal Court yesterday after the court heard the defendant was unwell. Mr Justice Lavan adjourned the hearing for a day and told the jury to return to court this morning.
The judge said Mr O'Donnell had complained of being unwell due to a stomach upset. He said that complaint was not challenged medically and in the circumstances he was adjourning the hearing.
He told the jurors he regretted the inconvenience.
The adjournment came on the 27th day of the trial of Mr O'Donnell (21), a native of Co Clare but of no fixed abode, who has denied 12 charges in relation to events in 1994.
He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Imelda Riney (29), and her son Liam (3), between April 28th and May 8th, 1994. He has also denied the murder of Father Joseph Walsh (37), the former curate of Eyrecourt, Co Galway, between May 3rd and 8th 1994 and to falsely imprisoning Father Walsh.
He has denied kidnapping Ms Fiona Sampson and Mr Edward Cleary on May 7th, 1994, and hijacking vehicles driven by both persons. He has further denied having a shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life and for unlawful purposes on the same date.
The trial is due to resume at 10.50 a.m. today.