Damien Heagney: Jury in murder trial dismissed for second time

As a result, the seven men and five women of the jury were addressed by the judge who told them: “I have been trying very hard to resolve a legal and practical difficulty that has arisen in the case.

“Unfortunately that has not as yet been resolved and will not be resolved within a reasonable timeframe – and accordingly I am going to have to discharge you from sitting further on this jury trial.”

Offering his apologies, he continued and said: “The matters that are outstanding are important and vital to the fairness of the trial and I simply cannot proceed with the trial at this stage.”

The senior judge thanked the 12 members for the “attention” and “diligence” they paid to what he described as a “difficult case to listen to” and said they would not have to sit on another jury for the next 10 years.

Before they left court, the judge concluded by saying “have a good Christmas.”

This is the second time a jury presiding in the case has been discharged.

Last month, three days of evidence was heard at Belfast Crown Court before an unrelated legal issue arose which resulted in similar action being taken by the same judge.